Saffie Osborne calls on Steve Cauthen for Preakness pointers

Saffie Osborne has left no stone unturned, and even called on the assistance of an American great, ahead of Heart Of Honor’s audacious bid for Preakness Stakes glory at Pimlico.

It will be the first time the 23-year-old has ridden in America when her father Jamie gives her the leg up ahead of the Triple Crown contest, and the excitement is now building having been given some pointers by weighing room titan Steve Cauthen prior to the trip to Baltimore.

“It’s really exciting and I’ve been so busy that it never really hit me until this week, once the draw was done and the build-up to the race started to be more noticeable,” said Osborne.

“It’s obviously been in my mind for a while since Dubai but it wasn’t confirmed until last week, so now it’s a really exciting time.

“Fortunately I’ve had some experience on the dirt in Dubai but it will be my first time riding in America. So it will be a new experience for me, but I’ve spoken to plenty of people about the track and the opposition.

“It’s amazing how many people have been willing to help and Sophie Doyle, James’ sister who now rides in America, she was our apprentice when I was only eight and has been helping me out.

“Michael Hills also put me in touch with Steve Cauthen and there’s no man better to speak to about American racing. I’ve been doing plenty of homework and hopefully it will stand me in good stead.”

Heart Of Honor enjoyed a fine winter in Dubai, winning his first two at Meydan before suffering heartbreaking reversals in three subsequent hot events.

The three-year-old came agonisingly close to emulating Osborne’s former star Toast Of New York in the UAE Derby and although that defeat still rankles his big-race pilot, she hopes the experience will serve her mount well ahead of stepping into the American unknown.

“He ran some huge races in Dubai, but the UAE Derby was a fairly gutting experience which doesn’t get any easier even now,” continued Osborne.

“But we wouldn’t be doing this and going to America if we didn’t think he had a chance. Anyone would love to have a runner in an American Classic but we’re not there to say we’ve had a runner, we want to go and try to win it.

“It’s a totally different kettle of fish going from Dubai to America and we’re stepping into the unknown a little bit, but we’ll see on Saturday how he copes.”

Memories of the aforementioned Toast Of York are making the Heart Of Honor journey even more special for the father-and-daughter team.

A young Osborne could only sit and watch on TV as the globetrotting Toast Of New York was denied Breeders’ Cup Classic glory by the barest margins at Santa Anita in 2014, but is now central to the next chapter in her family’s American adventures, eager to correct the record of 11 years ago.

Osborne continued: “When Toast Of New York ran in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, I was at home sat on the edge of mum and dad’s bed watching it late at night.

“I always remember Dad doing an interview last year about the race 10 years on and at the end of it he kind of got emotional and said he wants another like Toast so he can try to experience it all again.

“So it’s funny how since he’s said that, this horse has come along and it wouldn’t be possible without his owners Jim and Claire Bryce, who adore their horses. It’s great to have such willing and kind owners to share the experience with.

“I was always hoping Dad would have another Toast Of New York and people always ask jockeys which races would you like to win and everyone says the Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but there’s a part of me that would love to win a Breeders’ Cup Classic, just for a bit of recompense for Dad.”