Saffie Osborne's victory on Highwayman at Doncaster alters a long-standing barrier in British Flat racing, as she became the first female jockey to claim one of the five British Classic races. The 24-year-old produced a late surge on the 11-1 shot to win the St Leger in the race's 250th running.
Trainer Joseph O'Brien supplied the runner-up as well, a one-two for his yard when Enceladus finished second at 5-2, two and a half lengths behind Highwayman. Aidan O'Brien's bid to join the select group of trainers with four St Leger wins in a row ended with Amelia Earhart taking third at 22-1. Pre-race favourite Christmas Day, backed to complete a Derby-St Leger double for Aidan O'Brien, ran into trouble and finished ninth.
Speaking to ITV Sport after the race, Osborne described her own reaction in stunned terms. "I definitely didn't have this on the bingo card this week," she said. "I didn't even know if I would be riding the St Leger on Monday morning." She was swift to credit the trainer who gave her the ride, adding, "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."
The result adds to Joseph O'Brien's record in the famous race; he previously won the St Leger as a jockey on Leading Light in 2013 and trained the 2020 winner, Galileo Chrome. Enceladus arrived at Doncaster with recent high-class form, his season including three notable wins such as the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Highwayman had also shown clear improvement this year, notably in victory at the Vinnie Roe Stakes at Leopardstown.
Osborne's achievement rewrites a piece of British Flat racing history in the sport's oldest Classic, providing a landmark moment in the 250th running of the St Leger. The win changes Osborne's personal trajectory, and it strengthens Joseph O'Brien's standing as a leading trainer in the staying division as the flat season continues to unfold.
