Saffie Osborne has opened up about how she struggled to fully enjoy her historic victory as the first female jockey to win a British Classic race on Saturday. After riding Highwayman to victory in the 250th Betfred St Leger at Doncaster, she joined family and friends at the Three Blackbirds in Woodditton, a favored spot among racing enthusiasts. Yet, she found herself unable to handle alcohol and, once home, resorted to eating ham with cream cheese straight from the fridge due to a lack of appetite.
“I was the only one not drinking,” Osborne shared. “I would’ve liked a glass of champagne, but every time I looked at it, I felt physically sick. The adrenaline was still coursing through me.” She went on to describe how she only managed to eat after getting home around 11:30 pm, settling for ham and Philadelphia cream cheese as she sat shell-shocked in a corner most of the evening.
The 24-year-old also recounted a deeply emotional phone call from her father post-race. “My dad called me—he said, ‘It’s my proudest day on earth,’” she recalled, noting how the moment brought her to tears.
On Sunday, Osborne had a quieter day at Doncaster, finishing third in one of four rides, reflecting that the reality of her achievement still hasn’t fully registered. “I couldn’t quite believe it had happened, so it was nice to wake up and realize it wasn’t just a dream,” she told ITV Racing.
She emphasized that while she doesn’t want to overly emphasize the “female element” of her success, she values being part of a historic lineage — following trailblazers like Hayley Turner, the first female Group One winner, and Hollie Doyle, the first female to win a European Classic. “Everyone in this sport dreams of winning a Classic, and although I always dreamed it, maybe I didn’t truly believe it would happen to me. Yesterday was one of the first days I let myself feel every emotion.”
Osborne acknowledged the emotional ups and downs inherent to racing. “You try to keep balanced so you’re not too high or too low because it’s a rough roller coaster. But yesterday was special.”
Regarding the race, she said, “I couldn’t believe I was cantering smoothly at the two-furlong pole wondering if I should ease up! I wasn’t expecting to be traveling that well.” She praised trainer Joseph O’Brien, noting how Highwayman started with low marks but quickly improved. Osborne also joked about riding out for Richard Spencer the following day when she arrived late and was greeted with teasing from the team.
Meanwhile, in Ireland at the Curragh, the O’Brien family dominated the four Group One races. Aidan O’Brien, despite recently battling a low-grade infection, secured his 17th Group One win of the season as Sun Goddess triumphed impressively in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. Scandinavia, last year’s St Leger winner, continued dominance in long-distance races by capturing the Irish St Leger by a significant margin.
Donnacha O’Brien-trained Comanche Brave earned jockey Billy Loughnane his first Irish victory in the Bar 1 Flying Five Stakes, showing incredible speed despite stepping down to five furlongs. Having won the July Cup earlier, Comanche Brave now looks like a strong contender for European sprint honors.
Joseph O’Brien also delivered a one-two finish in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, with Folsom Blues leading ahead of the favorite Monogram. His Oaks winner Thundering On bounced back under his guidance to win the Group Two Blandford Stakes.
Fan Take:
Saffie Osborne’s groundbreaking win is a watershed moment for women in horse racing, symbolizing the sport’s growing inclusivity and breaking down long-standing barriers. This milestone not only inspires aspiring female jockeys but also adds fresh excitement and diversity to the sport’s future, promising a more dynamic and competitive racing landscape.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
