A year after making history at Meydan, Saffie Osborne is set to return with OUZO in a bid to defend the Lord Glitters Handicap (sponsored by Azizi Developments) this Friday the 7th at Meydan. Last season, Osborne became the first female jockey to ride a winner at the Dubai venue, and she is eager to add another victory to her tally.
“It doesn’t really feel like a year ago since OUZO won,” Osborne said, fresh off a successful stint in Australia. “The history-making part feels a bit weird because I grew up watching the best jockeys in the world win at Meydan, and it was always something I aspired to do. Being female or male didn’t really cross my mind. It’s cool to look back on now, but my focus is on riding many more winners here.”
Trained by her father, Jamie Osborne, OUZO arrives at Meydan following a sixth-place finish in the Lord North Handicap, a race he claimed in 2024. His rider is optimistic about his chances and hopes for a smoother passage this time.
“He seems to be in really good form,” she added. “I thought he was unlucky last time; he ran well but needed a bit more luck. Hopefully, things will go his way this week.”
Among Osborne’s chief rivals is SILVER SWORD, representing British-based South African trainer Dylan Cunha. The gelding finished fifth in the Lord North Handicap, and Cunha is confident of another strong performance.
“SILVER SWORD ran a blinder last time out, and with a good draw in stall two, he should be right in the mix,” he said. “All being well, both should be in the first four.”
The Vazirabad Handicap (sponsored by Azizi Developments), the second feature race on the card, will see Spanish Champion Trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta saddle THUNDERING, who carries bottom weight of just 53 kilos. The gelding impressed on his last outing at Meydan, but his trainer acknowledges the challenge ahead.
“THUNDERING is in great form, but this is a tougher race,” Arizkorreta admitted. “He will need to step up again.”
He will face formidable opposition, including the Godolphin trio of EL CORDOBES, ENDLESS VICTORY and ROYAL POWER. Another international contender is WAFEI, trained in Qatar by Alban De Mieulle for the Wathnan Racing operation, which has five runners on the card.
“WAFEI won his last two races in Qatar on the sand track quite easily,” said De Mieulle. “This distance should suit him well, and he looked in good form when cantering over the Meydan track on Wednesday.”
The evening’s third race, the Dubai Trophy (sponsored by Azizi Developments), is a 1200-metre sprint for three-year-olds. Charlie Appleby’s SYMBOL OF HONOUR, who recently defeated subsequent Group 2 winner WEST ACRE in the Al Wasl Stakes, will be a tough competitor. Dylan Cunha’s KING’S CALL, seventh in the same race, returns with blinkers fitted, a change his trainer hopes will bring out the best in him.
“KING’S CALL worked well with blinkers, and we expect a big run,” Cunha said. “I’ve just arrived in Dubai, and the team here is doing a great job.”
De Mieulle will also be represented in the race by REBEL DIAMOND, a four-time winner dropping back in distance after finishing sixth over 1500 metres in Qatar.
“I think he is better over 1200 metres,” said De Mieulle. “He was pulling last time, and the straight track shouldn’t be an issue for him.”
The meeting opens with the Azizi Venice Handicap over 1600 metres, an event that appears wide open. Abu Dhabi’s recent first and second, FOLK FESTIVAL and NO RETREAT, warrant respect, while Doug Watson introduces French import MOMARASA. Arizkorreta will saddle EL BOSNIA, a dual winner in France, and believes the mile distance is his limit.
“EL BOSNIA is a nice horse, and I hope he will be competitive off his handicap mark,” he said.
Racing begins at 5:30 pm, and tickets, starting at AED 5 for General Admission, can be purchased at dubairacingclub.com
