LONDON April 1, 2025: British trainer Jamie Osborne is aiming for another win in the Group 2 UAE Derby, preparing Heart Of Honor for the prestigious $1,000,000 race on Dubai World Cup night this Saturday.
Osborne, based in Lambourn and a winner of the event with Toast Of New York in 2014, hopes his latest contender can replicate that success.
Heart Of Honor has had a strong presence at Meydan during the Dubai Racing Carnival, securing two victories and just missing out in his last two races.
The colt, bred by David Redvers at Tweenhills in Gloucestershire, will wear blinkers for the first time in the race to enhance his performance.
In a family twist, Osborne’s daughter, Saffie Osborne, will partner Heart Of Honor in the high-profile event.
Osborne shared his thoughts with Great British Racing International, saying, “Heart Of Honor won his first two races in Dubai and was not disgraced in his last two. I think there were factors involved in his last defeat and I don’t think he was at his best. We learned a lot about him.”
He continued, “He needs to be sharper through the gate and early in his races, so the blinkers should help with that. He’s in a better place now than he was before the Al-Bastakiya, and we’re hopeful he’ll run his best race next Saturday.”
Osborne reflected on his historic achievement as the only British trainer to have won the UAE Derby, recalling the victory with Toast Of New York a decade ago. “That win is something I look back on with pride, and the chance to do it again with Heart Of Honor is special. It’s even more special to do it with Saffie on board.”
When Toast Of New York won, Saffie was only 11 and cheering from home. Now, she’ll ride in the race with her father, making the occasion even more meaningful.
Osborne has been a regular presence in Dubai, with notable wins such as Cliffs Of Capri and Ouzo, and he enjoys competing in the region during the British off-season. “It works well before our racing starts in the UK, and our horses have earned plenty of prize money this year,” he said. “We look forward to coming back next year.”