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| Staff Writer |
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Jamie Osborne boasts an impressive career from Yorkshire jockey to long-standing, successful trainer.
A runner-up in the 1996/97 Jump Jockey Championship, he was the leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival through the 90s. Transitioning to training, he has secured numerous groups and listed victories. Following in his footsteps, his daughter Saffie won her first group race at Ascot this year. This multifaceted career has left a lasting mark on the horse racing world.
Horse racing necessitates meticulous planning, unwavering dedication, and a meticulously devised strategy. In an exclusive interview with Ten Furlongs Magazine, Osborne, explored his meticulous plans and anticipations for a cadre of horses under his care, notably Emaraaty Ana, Ouzo, Sean, Many a Star, and Solid Stone.
Osborne envisions bringing Emaraaty Ana back to Dubai from Qatar following the Duhkan Sprint on 17th February and hopes to run the gelded son of Shamardal on World Cup night. Osborne believes Emaraaty Ana shows incredible promise despite being an 8YO.
"I would like to bring him back to Dubai, and I would love to run him on World Cup night. If he wins the Qatari Sprint, he might get an invitation for the World Cup,” he said.
Sharing plans for Solid Stone he said, "Next he goes into the Gr.2 Dubai City of Gold on Super Saturday."
Osbourn was amazed to see the significant improvement in Ouzo's performance, as evidenced by the horse's elevated handicap mark to 102. He will be aimed at the Lord Glitters Handicap at Meydan on the 16th of February.
Confirming Saffie as the jockey for both Ouzo in Dubai and Emaraaty Ana, the following day, in Qatar, Osborne outlined longer-term aspirations for Emaraaty Ana, stating, "We hope to bring him back to England for the Group races. While I know it's unusual at his age, potentially he can come back to the Middle East as a 9YO."
He recognizes that his ideas are unconventional, "None of my Dubai squad are young horses." But Osborne stresses their team's commitment to maintaining competitiveness in older horses, saying, "It's our responsibility, as a team, to keep them sound, content, and able to utilise their abilities. It's highly improbable that we'll see any significant improvement but managing these horses should keep them competitive." This thorough review demonstrates Osborne's strategic approach and dedication to maximising his horses' performance, regardless of their age.
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"Barratt Racing proudly owns Emaraaty Ana, Solid Stone, and Sean," he stated, "while Many A Star belongs to Jim and Claire Bryce,” said Osborne.
Osborne expressed his long-standing association with some owners, mentioning, "Ian Barratt, who previously brought horses here under the Melbourne 10 Racing banner, has always enjoyed racing in the Middle East. They're fantastic people, and I truly enjoy collaborating with them.'"
He also acknowledged the personal touch in his own horse's ownership, revealing," 'Ouzo, on the other hand, is owned by my wife and her friends. They are my most demanding clients."
This glimpse into the ownership structure highlights the diverse individuals entrusting their horses to Osborne's expertise and underscores the personal connections he fosters within the racing community.
Osborne exuded unwavering enthusiasm When asked about his extensive experience in the Middle East and the region's evolution, stating, "We've been coming here a long time," he declared, "and our motivation stems from my genuine enjoyment of spending time in the region and the level of prize money for my clients. I love it."
Besides escaping the prolonged English winters and enjoying favourable racing conditions, Osborne also acknowledged the dynamic shifts, particularly the recent changes to the racing calendar.
"It necessitates meticulous planning," he emphasized, "because it's not as straightforward as it used to be, and I don't mean that negatively."
Osborne's keen awareness of the need for adaptability and his emphasis on the strategic value of handicap-dependent horses has given him the flexibility he needs to navigate the Middle Eastern racing scene.
As he looks towards the future, Osborne has taken note of the positive developments at Meydan and the growing popularity of racing in Saudi Arabia. He is excited to see what the future holds for him in this constantly changing industry.
"I think Meydan is getting better and better. And obviously, Saudi Arabia is getting bigger. The only place in the region I have yet to have a runner is Qatar. I'm very much looking forward to that. I would like it to become a regular part of my thought process. Maybe next year, we'll return with more horses."
This reflective commentary encapsulates Osborne's appreciation for the evolving landscape of Middle East racing and his thoughtful consideration of future engagements in the region.
In response to questions about purchasing horses for clients, Jamie Osborne explains his distinctive approach: "Most of these horses are from previous trainers and owners who have decided to move them on. They are all quality horses, but we have limited budgets, and we're not going to buy a young horse rated 110, within that budget."
Elaborating on his strategy Osbourn says, "the ultimate decision depends on whether we view the risk as being well priced. It’s easy to waste a lot of money in this game.”
Reflecting on his niche approach in the market, Osborne acknowledges the need to differentiate, noting, "I've always been a believer that if you do the same thing as everybody else, the only possible outcome is you overpay for a horse because you'd have to outbid everybody." He emphasizes the uniqueness of his strategy, stating, "There are not many people in the market who are prepared to go and buy a 7YO, we are if the deal makes sense.”
Addressing the trust clients place in him, Osborne acknowledges the challenging nature of convincing clients to invest in older horses, saying, "This is part of my job, and I make sure I manage everything very well for my clients, these are people involved in it not for the first time. They understand the pitfalls but trust me to look after their interests."
Investing in talent and actively pursuing lucrative opportunities are core to his philosophy, pushing both his team and him to reach their full potential.
Osborne conveys the complexity of the horse-buying process. He reflects on the expensive nature of the purchasing process, stating, "Buying is an expensive process but there has to be a barrier to entry and in spite of the age of this year’s squad there has to still be potential upside."
In considering the identification of suitable horses, Osborne acknowledges the role of experience, stating, "Maybe this is a young man’s game, but it doesn’t hurt to have experience; you've got to have that experience." He notes the intricacies of evaluating horses at an advanced stage, emphasizing the diverse approaches among trainers based on their individual experiences and client motivations.
As he ventures into new territories like Qatar and contemplates bringing older horses back to their peak, his journey embodies the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the sport. In a world where passion meets meticulous planning, Jamie Osborne stands as a testament to the enduring thrill and strategic depth of horse racing.