SAFFIE OSBORNE TO RIDE HEART OF HONOUR IN 150TH PREAKNESS STAKES AS BRITISH TEAM TAKES AIM AT AMERICA’S CLASSIC MIDDLE JEWEL
Saffie Osborne is set to take another defining step onto the international stage as she prepares to partner Heart Of Honour in the 150th running of the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes, held at Pimlico Racecourse, Maryland, on Saturday 17 May 2025.
The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the U.S. Triple Crown, remains one of the sport’s most historic and prestigious races—renowned for its pace, pressure, and ability to shape future champions. This year, Osborne will become one of the few British-based jockeys to contest the race, guiding a colt who has already earned his place among global three-year-old contenders.
Heart Of Honour, trained by Jamie Osborne, arrives with over £270,000 in earnings from just six starts. The three-year-old son of Starspangledbanner was purchased for €220,000 and quickly showed potential, progressing through his races with strength and consistency. His near-miss second in the £500,000 UAE Derby at Meydan in March confirmed his ability to compete on the world stage—and signalled that a bold next step was not just possible, but necessary.
“This is a horse with real depth of ability,” said Jamie Osborne. “He’s got tactical speed, temperament, and a genuine will to compete. The Preakness is the right race, and we’ve given him every chance to be at his best on the day.”
The decision to target the Preakness was not taken lightly. For British-trained horses, dirt racing in the U.S. presents a specific challenge—requiring careful conditioning, adaptability, and a clear understanding of what it takes to travel and perform at the highest level. The team’s campaign has been deliberate, with each run preparing Heart Of Honour for this kind of test.
Riding him will be Saffie Osborne, who continues to establish herself as one of British racing’s most capable and composed young professionals. Her international credentials were firmly cemented earlier this year with a standout campaign at the Dubai Carnival, where she rode Heart Of Honour through his UAE Derby prep and final.
“Saffie knows this horse inside out,” Osborne added. “There’s a trust between them that matters, especially in a race like this. She’s earned her place in this story through her work, her focus, and the respect she has for the horses she rides.”
The race is also home to one of the most iconic trophies in world sport: the Woodlawn Vase, crafted by Tiffany & Co. in 1860 and insured for over £3 million. Too valuable to be awarded outright, the original is escorted to Pimlico under armed guard and displayed under close protection. The winning team receives a £30,000 sterling silver replica—a symbol of both achievement and legacy.
For the Osbornes and their ownership group, the Preakness is more than a destination—it’s a milestone in a long-term strategy to campaign world-class horses internationally. If all goes well, a summer campaign including Saratoga remains on the cards. But for now, all focus is on Baltimore.
This isn’t a side story. It’s a major step in a career—and a campaign—that has been built carefully, not rushed. And it marks a proud moment for British racing to be represented, not simply by presence, but by intent.
Equitas is proud to follow Heart Of Honour and Saffie Osborne to the Preakness Stakes, where legacy isn’t given—it’s earned.
Muireann
