Saffie Osborne believes she has two ‘exceptional partners’ in Ryan Moore and Dylan Browne McMonagle alongside her when bidding to captain the Great Britain & Ireland team to glory in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday.
The 24-year-old will bid to steer the Great Britain & Ireland team to a first victory in the six-race competition since 2022 when joining forces with the two Classic-winning riders who stole the show at last week’s Qatar Goodwood Festival.
And despite the competition from the teams representing Europe, Hong Kong and the Rest Of The World all boasting exceptional talents, Osborne believes her squad, who have been installed as 8/11 favourites by Paddy Power, can live up to expectations.
Osborne said: “It is a brilliant team to have. I feel very lucky to be in the weighing room here every day riding against world class jockeys, and being at a young age and getting to learn off all of them.
“It is another great day to learn off other jockeys who you wouldn’t normally necessarily ride against.
“I’ve not been able to do it for the last couple of years as I’ve had other commitments at other meetings, but I’m really excited to be back doing it this year, and I’ve got two exceptional partners in Ryan and Dylan.
“Ryan is someone we all look up to, but growing up in racing he has always been an idol of mine and I’ve known Dylan for a good few years now.”
Although Osborne has not been in action at the event for the past two renewals, her last appearance at the meeting saw her claim two wins when helping the Ladies team, alongside Hollie Doyle and Hayley Turner, lift the 2023 crown.
And while she has tasted more notable wins on the track since then, she admits that it still remains one of her favourite occasions in the saddle.
She added: “I had two winners on my last appearance in it and that was an amazing day. It was probably one of my favourite days of my career.
“Hollie (Doyle) and Hayley (Turner) are two people that I’ve looked up to for a really long time. To be on a winning team with them was so much fun, and I was living with Hayley at the time as well.
“It is a really enjoyable day, and you only have to go and see the crowds and how much everyone loves it.
"It is great with the Hong Kong team in it this year and the World Pool’s involvement really adds to it. Hopefully it will bring even more viewers to it as well.”
As regards to her prospects of tasting glory at this year’s meeting, Osborne has selected the three mounts she expects to give her a fighting chance of adding to her two previous winners in the competition.
Osborne added: “Spirit Mixer needs to bounce back after what was a troublesome run in the Northumberland Plate.
"He got a bump at the start and that put him right at the back of the field, and it was an on pace orientated race this year.
“We can probably put a line through that as we know what a high quality horse he is on the day.
“Hoseki has won her last three races and she looks like she is continuing to progress so I’m very excited to ride her.
“My other very good chance would be Red Spells Danger. Even though he hasn’t won on his last few starts he has finished on the premises in some useful sprint handicaps.
“It is very competitive racing, and it is brilliant for the sport as it showcases what fun the sport can be for everyone.”
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