Saffie Osborne made horse racing history by becoming the first female jockey to win a British Classic after driving Highwayman to a sensational victory in the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster.
A historic triumph at Doncaster
The 24-year-old jockey delivered a brilliant, perfectly timed ride aboard the 11-1 outsider, securing a landmark triumph in Britain’s oldest Classic flat race.
Trained by Joseph O’Brien, Highwayman surged through the final furlongs to edge past stablemate Enceladus, leading home a memorable one-two finish for the Irish trainer.
Breaking barriers in British racing
The historic victory ends a long-standing barrier in British flat racing, as no female rider had ever captured one of the five prestigious Classic events – the 1,000 Guineas, 2,000 Guineas, Oaks, Derby, or St Leger.
Osborne, who had stepped up to partner Highwayman for the prestigious Group 1 feature, displayed incredible poise on the major stage.
Overcome with emotion after crossing the line, she described the historic achievement as a moment that would change her life forever.
A defining moment for the sport
Pundits and racing fans hailed the performance as a transformative breakthrough for female jockeys in global horse racing.
Osborne’s landmark win at Doncaster builds upon years of rising momentum for women in the sport, cementing her place in the history books and inspiring future generations of female riders on racing’s greatest stages.
