Dubai: Saffie Osborne is 1st woman to ride winner at Meydan

Saffie Osborne became the first woman to ride a winner in the 14-year history of Meydan Racecourse when she piloted Ouzo to a deep-closing victory for her father, trainer Jamie Osborne, in Friday’s running of the US$57,174 Lord Glitters Handicap.

Osborne, 21, missed out on Ouzo’s previous Dubai Racing Carnival success because of an injury, but she was back on board for Friday’s feature that covered 1,800 meters, about 1 1/8 miles, on turf.

“I was delighted for everyone last time but gutted not to be on him,” Osborne said. “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.

Held up at the back of the 14-strong field, Ouzo still had most of his rivals ahead of him in the straight. He then had to overcome some traffic before the gaps opened just in time, allowing him to charge past Godolphin pair Highbank and First Sight for one-length success.

“I remember sitting on the sofa watching when dad won the UAE Derby (G2, with Toast Of New York in 2014),” Osborne said. “Ten years on, to be riding winners for him out here, is pretty special.”

Ouzo is an 8-year-old gelding who has won his last three races to run his record to 38: 7-5-4 with earnings of US$286,411, according to Racing Post. The son of Charm Spirit out of the Miswaki Tern mare Miss Meltemi is owned by The Other Club. Based in England, Ouzo has raced the past two winters in Dubai.