Latest news with #GreatBritishRacingInternational
Arab News
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Jamie Osborne targeting a 2nd UAE Derby triumph with Heart Of Honor on Dubai World Cup night
LONDON: British trainer Jamie Osborne is eying another victory in the Group 2 UAE Derby as he prepares Heart Of Honor for the prestigious $1,000,000 race on Dubai World Cup night on Saturday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Lambourn-based handler, who memorably won the contest with Toast Of New York in 2014, is hoping his latest contender can emulate that success. Osborne's charge has been a regular feature at Meydan throughout the Dubai Racing Carnival, notching two victories before narrowly missing out in his last two outings. The David Redvers-bred colt, from Tweenhills in Gloucestershire, will head into the race with a tactical change — he will wear blinkers for the first time in a bid to sharpen his performance. Adding to the family affair, Heart Of Honor will be partnered by Osborne's daughter, Saffie Osborne, in the high-profile event. Speaking to Great British Racing International, Osborne detailed his hopes for Heart Of Honor's performance. 'Heart Of Honor won his first two races in Dubai and was not disgraced in defeat in his last two races. 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 said. 'I think he just needs to be sharper through the gate and sharper through the first half of his races, and the application of blinkers is to help him with that. We have got him in a better place now than we got him before the Al-Bastakiya. We are hopeful that he will run his best race next Saturday. 'It's great for the owners, who have trusted me to do this. The plan when we bought him was always to bring him to Dubai for a Middle Eastern winter campaign with the hope that he would make it to the derby. Thankfully this plan has worked out so far, but we have got one more mission to accomplish,' Osborne added. Osborne remains the only British trainer to have won the UAE Derby, and he reflected on Toast Of New York's success a decade ago. '(That) win is something that I look back on with pride, and getting the opportunity to do it again this year with Heart Of Honor is special. It's even more special to get to do it with Saffie on board,' he said. 'When Toast Of New York won it, she was 11 years old and was screaming at the television at home. When we arrived home from Dubai, she had made all the banners for his stable and was very excited, so it's thrilling to get the chance to do it again with her,' he added. Osborne has been a regular competitor in Dubai in recent years, sending a steady stream of runners to the Middle East and picking up notable victories with horses such as Cliffs Of Capri and Ouzo. He also landed the Dukhan Sprint in Qatar in 2023 with Emaraaty Ana, placed fourth in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup in 2022 with Alignak and finished runner-up on Saudi Cup night in 2020 with Mekong. Osborne said he was enthusiastic about competing in the region. 'Personally, I enjoy coming to race in Dubai and the Middle East during the British off-season, and my clients enjoy racing their horses here, too,' he said. 'We've had a good year this year in Dubai, and my horses have won plenty of prize money finishing placed in big races. We look forward to coming back again next year as it works well before our racing starts here in the UK.'
Arab News
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Witness Stand gears up for Saudi Cup's $2m 1351 Turf Sprint
LONDON: Urloxhey Stables is set for its first international flat runner as Witness Stand prepares to line up in the $2 million 1351 Turf Sprint at the Saudi Cup on Saturday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Worcestershire-based training partnership of National Hunt trainer Richard Newland and co-trainer Jamie Insole is making a significant leap onto the global racing stage with the four-year-old gelding. Witness Stand, a Listed winner at Newbury last autumn under jockey Kieran Shoemark, is the highest-rated UK entry in the prestigious 7-furlong contest. Shoemark, who guided the son of Expert Eye to two victories last season, will renew his partnership in Riyadh. Acquired for 100,000 guineas ($132,159) at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, Witness Stand was identified as a value buy by Insole on behalf of owners Scott and Debbie Turner. Recalling the acquisition, Insole told Great British Racing International: 'We initially thought he'd be too pricey and his consignors Barton Stud brought him out to show me and I told them to put him away as he'd be too expensive. We were delighted to secure him and we're excited to campaign him in 2025 and beyond.' After arriving at Urloxhey Stables in November, Witness Stand was given a short break before returning to training. Insole has been steadily building up the gelding's fitness, incorporating two away days at Wolverhampton to sharpen him for the Saudi challenge. 'He's a compact horse who carries his condition well, but the next 10 days will sharpen him up further,' Insole said. The Saudi Cup's unique seven-furlong test, which brings together sprinters stretching out and milers cutting back in trip, will pose tactical challenges. However, Insole believes Witness Stand's adaptability is a key asset. 'The seven-furlong trip is perfect for him in a race that brings together five and six-furlong sprinters and milers dropping back in distance. He's shown good form on quick ground at Goodwood, so that holds no concern,' he said. Shoemark, who will travel to Saudi Arabia for a sole ride aboard Witness Stand, is optimistic about the gelding's chances. 'He's done a couple of pieces of work at Wolverhampton, and I'm happy with where he is at this stage,' Shoemark said. 'The quick ground and track in Saudi won't be an issue — he's incredibly versatile both in terms of ground and trip. All he did last year was improve in a short space of time, and with his rating of 114, he fully deserves his place in this field.' Witness Stand's strong autumn campaign coincided with the addition of cheekpieces, which will remain in place for the Saudi Cup. 'They've sharpened him up and he's worked well at home in them, so we see no reason to change what's proven to be successful,' Insole added. Shoemark also praised Insole's approach to training, highlighting his ambition and results. 'Jamie is very passionate and proactive, and he's not afraid to run his horses. His results last year speak for themselves, and with the quality two-year-olds and pedigrees he's added to the yard, I think there's more success ahead,' he said. The international campaign marks a significant step forward for Urloxhey Stables, which was formed in December 2023 when Insole joined forces with Grand National-winning trainer Newland. Since then, the duo has sent out 27 winners on the flat and currently trains 35 National Hunt horses and 65 flat horses, including 27 two-year-olds. 'It's a huge step,' Insole admitted. 'Last year, we showed we could improve older horses and develop two-year-olds. Now, we want to prove we can compete on the biggest stage and attract international owners. This race is fully funded, so it's a free hit at big prize money. Even finishing sixth would bring home £50,000 ($62,914).' Young British trainers such as George Boughey and George Scott have expanded their global presence in Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain, and Insole hopes this race will be the catalyst for a similar international profile for Urloxhey Stables, adding: 'We're hoping he can run a big race and we can prove we are a professional outfit who mean business.'
