Saffie Osborne returns from a winter spent ricocheting between Lambourn and the Gulf, where Dubai’s deep purses and her father Jamie’s sales‑ring gambles kept her busier than the departure boards. Now she’s back, with a diary already filling up with the sort of rides that can shape a year.
How was your winter flying in and out of Dubai?
“It was great to have some big winners over there. Dad does a lot of work at the sales buying dirt pedigrees to try and take advantage of the dirt races in Dubai, as it’s easier than taking on Charlie Appleby on the turf! This year he’s going to America for some of their breeze‑up sales as well. Heart Of Honor and Brotherly Love both making it into the UAE Derby in consecutive years and running big races — and Heart Of Honor getting into the World Cup this year. It’s been great and something I really enjoy.
The dirt is very different — the way you have to ride it is all about rhythm and momentum and trying to get as smooth a trip as possible. So I suppose it’s kind of similar in some ways, but it’s more of a war of attrition compared to turf. It’s like adding another string to your bow. It’s something we don’t really get to do as European jockeys, so it’s another skill in the locker that gives you more experience around the world.
They’re big, robust animals. Going over for the Preakness and Belmont, you look at the likes of Sovereignty and Journalism and they are absolute beasts — beautiful ones. Even though they’re big and robust, they’re so athletic and have such a beautiful way of moving. Those proper dirt horses are kind of freaky in an amazing way — watching them, it’s like their feet don’t touch the ground, but they’re massive animals”.
Has that made you more intrigued by American racing?
“I’ve always really enjoyed watching American racing. One of my first memories as a kid was Toast of New York finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which was pretty epic for a European. I suppose Raven’s Pass won a Breeders’ Cup, but I think that was on Tapeta — so Toast of New York is the closest a European horse has come to winning a Breeders’ Cup Classic on dirt. Since then, I’ve always loved watching American racing.
To go and ride in two Triple Crown races last year was pretty epic. I’ve never had such a cool experience on a racecourse twice without winning a race. The atmosphere is incredible, and I’d recommend anyone to go. I’ve been lucky enough to ride in America, Australia, Saudi, Qatar — and I think you can learn so many different things from different places. It’s always something that interests me”.
As we speak, the Guineas are still a few days away; by the time people read this, the result will already be in. But regardless of how it played out, it was your first crack at Classic company with Touleen — a huge ride to pick up?
“It’s actually my second ride in a Classic — I rode in the 2000 Guineas a couple of years ago on Ten Bob Toni for Ed Walker. Even sitting on a filly like Touleen in the mornings, galloping her, she is a class act. It’s a really exciting position to be in. I’ve always been someone who wants more and more, and if you’d told me three years ago that I’d have a ride in a Classic in the Shadwell colours, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s the stuff you dream of growing up — to have opportunities like this. I’m just really grateful that it’s come around”.
Do you have any other big rides pencilled in?
“I’m really looking forward to White Birch — another of Dad’s purchases. He’s rated 120, he’s a Group 1 winner, so hopefully he’ll be exciting this year and he’s being aimed at Ascot. He is six years old now, but he feels full of life and still has all his enthusiasm”.
Do you set goals for this year?
“I try not to. Last year, numerically, was frustrating — I’d come back from Australia and had a fairly slow start, then everything started going really well in the middle and second half of the year. Then to get injured again was so frustrating. I’ve been riding five years and I haven’t had a year yet without an injury, so I’d just really love a clean shot at it where I don’t have to take a couple of months off. I try to just take each week as it comes”.
How important have places like Oaksey House and Peter O’Sullevan House been during your injuries?
“I’ve spent a lot of time in Oaksey House and in Peter O’Sullevan House. I split my weeks between Lambourn and Newmarket. I’ve felt so lucky when I’ve been injured to have those facilities — not only because they help me get better, but because they give my days a purpose. In this job you go from being so busy, never having a moment to sit down, to suddenly having absolutely nothing to do. You end up sat there twiddling your thumbs, basically getting up and waiting to go back to bed.
When you’re hobbling around on crutches, like I was last September, those places are unbelievable for giving you something to do every day — and something that helps your brain, because you know you’re doing things to get better. I’ve got a great relationship with the physios and strength‑and‑conditioning coaches in both places, and I feel like I’ve known them a long time now. It’s also just great fun — I love going in there now even when I’m not injured. I love going in for a session before racing or on a day off. We’re very lucky to have them”.