Saffie Osborne points to Ballydoyle spell as key in her development

Saffie Osborne credits a season at Ballydoyle as pivotal to her rise to the top of British racing.

The 24-year-old made history last weekend, becoming the first female rider to win a British Classic after steering Highwayman to glory in the 250th Betfred St Leger at Doncaster.

Osborne is on track to enjoy the most successful year of her career having partnered 74 winners from 506 rides in Britain, with the 87 she managed in 2024 the highest return so far.

As well as learning from Aidan O’Brien, a trip to Australia also played a key role in the progression of the multi-talented Osborne, who was a highly-decorated event rider in her teens.

“I went to Ballydoyle and spent a season there and it was incredible. I learned so much and rode some amazing horses,” she said.

“It was sort of like the kid walking into a candy shop. I’d gone from riding out for dad (trainer and former jump jockey Jamie Osborne) and then walking into Ballydoyle where every horse has a name on the saddle cloth and you’re looking at the likes of Kew Gardens, Japan and all these incredible horses – I was just there in total awe.

“That was amazing and then I spent the winter in Australia with Ciaron Maher. Then he told me I’d had too much fun so he spent me to Gai Waterhouse for a month – it was amazing.

“I’ve grown up in racing and I really understand the whole picture. I’ve grown up being obsessed with it and I think going to Aidan’s and then going to Australia stood me in really good stead because I got a really good overview of the industry.”

Osborne was a European Championship medallist in the eventing sphere, but admits racing was always closest to her heart.

She said: “I did three European Championships and won five medals in that time and won British Championships. I entered up to four-star level, which is the one just below Badminton and Burleigh and all of that. When you’re 16 that feels like the be all and end all, so it’s extremely competitive.

“You just have to look at British Eventing and how well they’re doing at the senior level to realise how competitive it is – they’re winning absolutely everything.

“I loved eventing, it was great, but as soon as I started riding out (racehorses) there was a lightbulb moment because I thought ‘this is what I want to do’.”

Osborne believes the door is open for female riders at the top of the sport if they prove they are good enough, as the likes of Hollie Doyle and Hayley Turner demonstrated prior to Osborne’s historic success on Town Moor.

“I don’t think there is a lack of opportunity for female riders – I haven’t been viewed any differently. I was like any other apprentice just starting that wasn’t Billy Loughnane and it takes a while for you to really get the hang of it and get good,” she added.

“I’ve been riding for six years now and this year and last year are really the times I’ve got these big opportunities, and I think that’s right. I wasn’t ready to have opportunities like this four years ago.

“There are plenty of days sat in that weighing room and I’m the only girl there, and that’s a lot of the time now with Hollie being injured, but I think the girls that have done well have proven that if you’re good enough, you’ll do well.”