SAFFIE OSBORNE MAKES HISTORY AS SHE BECOMES THE FIRST WOMAN TO RIDE A BRITISH CLASSIC WINNER

By Graham Potter | Saturday, September 12, 2026

Saffie Osborne has made history by becoming the first woman to ride the winner of a British Classic when saluting aboard the Joseph O’Brien trained Highwayman in the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster on the 250th anniversary of the world’s oldest Classic.

The win saw the odds of Highwayman slashed from 25-1 to 14-1 for the 2026 Melbourne Cup, a race Joseph O’Brien has already won on two occasions … with Rekindling in 2017 and Twilight Payment in 2020.

"I don't think I've ever been speechless in my life! I definitely didn't have this on the bingo card for this week. I didn't have a ride in the St. Leger on Monday morning, let alone one with a chance,” said an understandably, absolutely delighted Osborne post-race.

"I can't thank Joseph (O’Brien) and his team enough for putting their faith in me. This won't change Joseph's life, but it's changed mine. I'd be nowhere without my agent Tony Hind and, I know it sounds cliche, but my mum and my dad. It means the absolute world and I'm in shock."

O'Brien, who won the race with Galileo Chrome in 2020, saddled the first two runners across the line with Highwayman's better fancied stable companion Enceladus, ridden by Billy Loughnane, finishing 2.50 lengths behind the clearcut winner.

'Everyone wants to win the Melbourne Cup. I'd quite like to have a ride in it this year,” said Osborne, looking ahead.

"I haven't won a Melbourne Cup, so I don't know what it takes to win one, but to win a British Classic, he (Highwayman) is obviously a pretty good horse. He's very unexposed and all he's done is improve through his career,” added Osborne, talking on SEN's Giddy Up program.

"He's very straightforward and has a very good mind, which will stand him in good stead in a race that has so much build-up to it. I could see him having a seriously good chance."

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