Saffie Osborne has etched her name into the record books by becoming the first woman to win one of British Flat racing’s five Classics. Riding Highwayman, she claimed victory in the St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday.
The 24-year-old surged clear in the final strides with the 11-1 chance to secure the historic win during the 250th anniversary of the world’s oldest Classic Flat race.
The race resulted in a one-two finish for trainer Joseph O’Brien, whose colt Enceladus took second place, finishing two-and-a-half lengths behind the winner.
Aidan O’Brien had been targeting a rare fourth consecutive St Leger title but could only manage third with Amelia Earhart at odds of 22-1. Pre-race favorite Christmas Day, heavily backed to complete a Derby-St Leger double for the legendary trainer, stumbled to a ninth-place finish at 7-4.
Osborne expressed her disbelief at the outcome immediately after the race. “I definitely didn’t have this on the bingo card this week,” she told ITV Sport. “I didn’t even know if I would be riding the St Leger on Monday morning.”
She credited Joseph O’Brien for the opportunity, stating: “I have to thank Joseph and his team for putting their faith in me. It won’t change Joseph’s life, but it’s changed mine.”
Wow, Christmas Day stumbling to ninth? What a shock at the finish line.
Finally! A well-deserved moment for Osborne. Racing needed this kind of history.