Heart of Honor, bred by Jamie Osborne, made an impressive comeback in the Middle East by winning the Nakheel Stakes at Meydan. The talented dirt-track runner had a strong showing in Dubai last winter, securing two victories and finishing close behind in three notable races, including a narrow defeat in the UAE Derby on World Cup night.
The three-year-old is set to compete in the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in the US but has been given a strong mandate to return victorious, with focus shifting back to the Persian Gulf. Heart of Honor started from the wide outside and, despite a brief lull around the final turn, powered through under jockey Saffie Osborne to claim a clear victory.
Jamie Osborne commented: “We tracked a bit deep early, but Saffy made the smart move to follow Galactic Star. It felt like he had plenty left in the tank, and luckily that proved true. It’s a fantastic way to kick off his UAE season.” He added, “He’s surprised us multiple times in races. In the UAE Derby, it even seemed like he might finish sixth, but he just missed out. His style shows a bit of laziness, conserving energy, which means he always finishes strong, especially when the pace has been gentle.”
Osborne also noted, “Next up is the Listed Entissard on December 19. Since he hasn’t won beyond maiden and conditions races, there will be no penalty for him.” Additionally, Charlie Appleby’s Devon Island won the Palm Central Maiden Stakes by three-quarters of a length over Osborne’s Brotherly Love.
Fan Take: This victory by Heart of Honor signals exciting potential for the horse in both Middle Eastern and international races, highlighting the increasing global integration of horse racing talent. For fans, it underscores the thrilling unpredictability and evolving dynamics of contemporary thoroughbred competition.
