Over the past 24 hours, several notable events have unfolded in the world of horse racing:
Historic Victory at Doncaster
On September 12, 2026, at Doncaster Racecourse, 24-year-old Saffie Osborne made history by becoming the first female jockey to win a British Classic race. Riding the underdog Highwayman for trainer Joseph O’Brien, Osborne secured victory in the 250th running of the Betfred St Leger Stakes, Britain’s oldest Classic. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Hollie Doyle, who finished fourth in the 2021 St Leger. Osborne’s triumph underscores her rapid ascent in the racing world and highlights the ongoing progress toward gender equality in the sport. (horseandhound.co.uk)
Historic Victory at Gulfstream Park
In the United States, Kerry’s Kiss delivered a stunning performance in the $225,000 Princess Rooney (G3) at Gulfstream Park. The filly took command early in the race, leading wire-to-wire to defeat the 6-5 favorite, Simply Joking, by 1½ lengths. This victory not only secured her a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint but also extended trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.’s remarkable dominance in the race. (agentes305.com)
Historic Victory at Burghley Horse Trials
In the world of eventing, Ballaghmor Class, affectionately known as “Thomas,” was given a heartfelt send-off as he officially retired at Defender Burghley on September 6, 2026. Ridden throughout his career by Olympic gold medalist Oliver Townend, Thomas achieved remarkable success, including winning Burghley twice and being a member of the British team that secured Olympic gold in Tokyo. The retirement ceremony was marked by a standing ovation from the crowd, celebrating his contributions to the sport. (horseandhound.co.uk)
These events highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of the equestrian world, showcasing remarkable achievements across different disciplines.
Highlights:
- Saffie Osborne makes racing history as first female British Classic winner: ‘I definitely didn’t have this on the bingo card for this week!’, Published on Saturday, September 12
- ‘Because of him, my dreams came true’: tears, carrots and one last standing ovation as eventing legend is cheered into retirement at Burghley, Published on Monday, September 07
- Meet the horse bought for £1 who overcame kissing spines – and a broken leg – and is competing at the national championships, Published on Wednesday, September 09
