David Egan and Saffie Osborne are quietly becoming quite a power couple in racing.
The highly-regarded Egan is attempting to repeat his 2021 success in The Saudi Cup aboard Mishriff on Saturday – and Osborne can also be hopeful of emulating such a sharp upward curve after her recent feats.
Saffie Osborne had a landmark season last year, riding 50 winners (Pic – Focus On Racing)
The 20-year-old Osborne, whose father is the British trainer Jamie Osborne, rode 50 winners in her first full season in the UK last year and would like nothing more one day than to compete in the stc International Jockeys Challenge, or, even better, in The Saudi Cup races.
She and boyfriend Egan are currently based in Bahrain, where they both work for trainer Fawzi Nass.
She says: “In England I’m based in Lambourn and David is based in Newmarket, so we don’t get to see each other often, apart from when we happen to ride in the same races. But in Bahrain we get to ride out together, which has been good fun. We are very critical of each other, but in a good way, a constructive way.”
Osborne, who was also a very successful event rider and represented Britain at three under-21 European Championships, winning two gold and three silver medals between 2017 and 2019, admits: “When we started going out, I beat David when he was on a favourite, and he didn’t speak to me the whole way home. But we got better with that. We are very happy for the other to win.”
Egan is riding the John and Thady Gosden-trained Mishriff in the $20m main event and is also booked to ride Qaader, trained by Fawzi Nass, in the Saudi International Handicap presented by Al Rajhi Bank on Friday.
Osborne says: “It is great to be here to support David and hopefully see Mishriff reclaim the Cup. Obviously I want David to win on all the horses he’ll ride on Saudi Cup night.”
Victory in The Saudi Cup last year was the launchpad win of Egan’s career.
He followed it up with Group 1 triumphs in the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Juddmonte International, both aboard Mishriff. Osborne will be hoping that one day she gets the opportunity to form a partnership with a horse that will help her reach the stars, too.
The Sporting Post believes we will see the Saudi Cup action on our racing television screens. Watch this space for times and platforms!
