BHA’s conduct towards me is shocking – and why Saffie Osborne is absolutely deserving of big Group 1 glory

ON Friday last week a member of the BHA contacted me upset about an article I had written on the saunas debate.

They wanted me to re-write my column and state that the riders’ allowance – which was once 6lb but has been cut to 4lb – had not been taken away.

PAThe sauna debate has to come down on the side of jockeys and their safety[/caption]

But there was no need for me to do that. It was irrelevant.

The jockeys only voted for saunas to be removed from racecourses if they kept their 6lb allowance. Whether they get 5lb or 4lb is neither here nor there.

As a result, I dismissed the messages and merely thought to myself how low can the BHA stoop.

I was about to find out!

Next, the BHA contacted the Head of Sport at The Sun. Presumably they thought this would get me in trouble.

This is a Head of Sport who I believe respects my work and knows I investigate stories thoroughly.

He’s also someone who knows how much I value my paper columns.
There are not many out there.

Racing should be hugely grateful The Sun gives anyone the chance to write about this great game.

Just the fact the BHA feels it can be heavy handed with a reporter is bad enough.

But remember this is a BHA that refuses to let me interview its hierarchy.

I’ve said it once and I will say it again. The BHA is an out of control dictator. I shouldn’t be, but I’m totally shocked by its behaviour.

Right, what about action on the track.

There was a time when we all wondered when someone would hurl Hayley Turner into the bigtime. And they did.

Dave Simcock handed her Dream Ahead in the 2011 July Cup.

There was also a time when we all wondered when someone would hurl Hollie Doyle into the bigtime. And they did.

Archie Watson fielded Hollie Glen Shiel in the 2020 British Champions Sprint. Now, of course, she has three Group 1s from Nashwa, including a French Oaks.

Now, I won’t be alone in thinking who will be the person to throw the opportunity at racing’s highest level to Saffie Osborne?

And I don’t just mean a ride. I’m thinking a proper chance of scoring at racing’s highest level. A Group 1 chance.

There’s nothing new in writing or saying that Osborne is a talent.

I was talking about it even before she had her first effort Under Rules when she was proving an absolute ace in the eventing world.

For those who don’t know, she landed team and individual ‘Gold’ at the pony Europeans in 2018 and ‘Silver’ at the junior Europeans in 2019.

But after some horrific injuries there is no doubt this term is the one – despite a Group 3 success for Ed Walker on Random Harvest in October of last year – Osborne has shown us all that she has the skill to go right to the top.

Her effort to land the Chester Cup on Metier was superb. And Random Harvest was a Group 3 victor of the Valiant Stakes.

Saffie is soaked in champagne after her Shergar Cup heroics – now it’s time for a trainer to give her a chance of a big Group 1Alamy

Throw in Racing League and now Shergar Cup triumphs and she’s a girl to follow and a jockey strengthening up all the time.

Away from her father, Jamie Osborne, who has given Saffie such fantastic support in the early stages of her career, Walker is the best to judge the 21-year-old.

He told me: “Saffie is obviously doing extremely well and having a great first year after losing her claim for being an apprentice.

“She was born into the game, which is probably a big help getting going, but I think equally it can be a hindrance and add quite a lot of pressure and expectation being the daughter of a great jockey and brilliant trainer and big name in the game.

“It’s easy to forget Saffie is only 21 and has only been riding for three years.

“She’s had one major injury which she has done very well to overcome.

Walker added: “Tactically she’s brilliant. She started off quite weak like most apprentices and I think she has got so much stronger in the last 12 to 18 months.

“She’s getting a lot of rides on a daily basis and getting stronger all the time.

“I thought it was fantastic seeing her and Hollie going head to head at Ascot.

“Two fantastic female jockeys who are competing on a level playing field with the boys and as strong as them if not stronger than lots of them!

“Saffie has never had a whip ban. She’s in the right place at the right time and on the ball.

“She still has a lot of improvement to come – but that’s the exciting bit. I believe she can go all the way to the top. It’s very exciting.”

The future’s bright. The future may well be Saffie.

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