Female rider Saffie scripts history at Meydan Racecourse

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

History was made at Meydan Racecourse on Friday when Saffie Osborne became the first female jockey to ride a winner in the course’s 14-year history.

The 21-year-old missed out on Ouzo’s previous Dubai racing Carnival success through injury but was back on board for the featured Lord Glitters Handicap sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, over 1800 metres on turf.

Held up at the back of the 14-strong field, Ouzo trained by Osborne’s father Jamie, still had most of them ahead of him in the straight.

He then had to overcome some trouble in running before the gaps opened just in time, allowing him to charge past Godolphin pair Highbank and First Sight for a length success. “I was delighted for everyone last time but gutted not to be on him,” said Osborne. “

All credit to (Assistant Trainer) Jimmy McCarthy and Dad’s team for getting him spot on as he’s a hard horse to get right.

“I remember sitting on the sofa watching when Dad won the UAE Derby [with Toast Of New York in 2014] so, ten years on, to be riding winners for him out here is pretty special.”

Love Prevails on the Turf

Second in the Jumeirah Fillies’ Classic last time out, Beautiful Love was a hot favourite in the Defender 130 three-year-old race and she didn’t let her supporters down.

Ridden by William Buick for Charlie Appleby, the Siyouni filly collected her second career win in emphatic style in the 1600metre turf event, powering clear of Athan for a six-length success.

“She’s a very nice filly and when she ran over seven [furlongs – 1400metres] last time it was always going to be too sharp,” said Buick after his 17th winner of the Carnival.

“She’ll appreciate stepping up even more to a mile and a quarter and hopefully she’s a filly who can keep some nice company back at home.”

The turf track was also the venue for a Rashed Bouresly-trained 1-2 when Ashger Asser broke his maiden in the Defender 110 Handicap, over 1200metres.

Ridden by Panamanian jockey Omar Salas, the four-year-old hit the front with 200metres left to go and just held on from stablemate Shanaghai City.

“Thank you to the owners and trainer, thank you, thank you!” said Salas after his fourth UAE winner. “It’s my first win in Meydan.”

It was a good night for Panama-born jockeys as Oscar Chavez won the very next race, the Land Rover Handicap, over 1400metres on dirt.

He rode Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s Asad Zabeel who gained a first local win from just off the pace, pouncing in the straight and seeing off fellow Shadwell-owned Khanjar by a diminishing neck.

“You’re always delighted when you have a winner!” said Chavez. “He set off beautifully behind the leaders and they went hard early. No-one wanted to be on the inside so I was able to cut the corner and save some ground. “The way he ran today, I’m sure he will improve.”

Al Mheiri doubled up when Qareeb followed up his recent Jebel Ali success in the closing Defender 90 Handicap, over 2000metres on turf.