Jamie Osborne meant business with a large team for this year’s Dubai Racing Carnival and it is reaping rewards. The British trainer celebrated a double at Meydan’s second meeting of 2026, thanks to two very different horses.
First came Sean (pictured), who won his first Carnival race after three years of trying, aged nine, in the opening DP World Digital Technology Handicap, over 1900metres on turf.
The veteran was produced late by Saffie Osborne to secure the victory, pouncing on Kathab, who looked to have the race won. Instead, it was a half-length success for Sean on his eleventh Meydan start.
“She’s [Saffie Osborne] ridden him fairly cold but I was pleased when they seemed to keep the pace going. Its amazing as he’s nine years old and a bit of a family pet. Ian and Claire Barratt very kindly gave him to [Assistant Trainer] Jimmy McCarthy and I because they wanted to retire him and we said “not yet.
“I’m ridiculously happy, it’s brilliant.”
“I was off the bridle most of the way and he needs them to go fast,” added Saffie Osborne. “Turning in, I thought if he’s ever going to win its going to be today. The horse deserves it more than anyone as he’s an out and out tryer.”
The second win, just 35 minutes later, came with owners Jim and Claire Bryce whose Brotherly Love broke his maiden at the fourth attempt in the Mina Rashid Maiden, over 1600metres on dirt.
A three-year-old half-brother to Osborne’s stable star Heart Of Honor, Brotherly Love was settled in mid pack on the rail but found plenty when asked for his effort, striding out for a four-length win over Yamdeek.
“We’re hoping he’s a proper horse and he did look it tonight,” said Jim Bryce. “I’ve got to give the credit to Jamie as he bought him before Heart Of Honor even raced. We’ve recently bought the Kameko foal too, the last one from the mare.”
Saffie Osborne added: “He’s a much easier ride than his brother. He jumped, travelled well and I was concerned I was a bit too far forward, but he’s seen it out nicely.”
“He looks like he’ll get better the further he goes,” said Jamie Osborne. “We don’t want to over-race him so it’s unlikely he’ll go to the [UAE 2000] Guineas. The Al Bastakiya – UAE Derby is probably the route we’ll take.”
Victorious Forever Indeed
The British jamboree continued in the fourth race, which went to the George Scott-trained Force And Valour.
The four-year-old, now on his second Carnival, has really taken to Meydan’s dirt and dug deep for Billy Loughnane in the dying strides, catching Laasudood and winning by two lengths.
“He’s a tough horse and he doesn’t mind a bit of kickback in his face,” said Loughnane. “He was slow out, but he enjoys passing horses and every one he went by gave him a little more confidence.
“Hopefully he’ll be a little sharper now. He’s had two quick runs so I don’t think they’ll be pushed to get him out again quickly.”
The Force And Valour red silks of Victorious Forever were back in the winner’s enclosure soon after when their Flying Comet landed the Al Wasl Stakes [sponsored by DP World] – one of the night’s feature races.
Ridden by Champion Jockey Silvestre De Sousa for trainers Simon and Ed Crisford, the three-year-old was too good in a bunch finish from Words Of Truth and Maximized.
“I think they went quite hard up front but he came into it well two furlongs out and I thought “we’ve got a chance here” and he did it well,” said Ed Crisford. “He’s done well since he got here and strengthened and grown. Soft ground in England didn’t really suit him.
“We might look at the Dubai Trophy in a couple of weeks.”
Team Crisford doubled up with Ocean Viking who took the closing Mina Hamriya Handicap, over 1900metres on turf, under James Doyle.
Making his Meydan debut, the lightly-raced five-year-old hit the front 200metres out and won stylishly from the closing Daamiss.
“He’s a sweet horse and Ed and the team seemed pretty positive and hopeful that he would run a good race. We ended up down on the fence and needed a bit of luck, but when he got it he put it to bed quite well.”
De Sousa celebrated a double, earlier partnering Molaqab to victory in the 1400metre turf Jebel Ali Port Handicap, race three, for Michael Costa.
Making his second start of the season, the six-year-old just prevailed in a four-way dash for the line, beating Dubai Beach by a quarter of a length.
Mothecomb Gets it Right in Lord North
Mothecomb had looked a little unlucky when only third on his Meydan debut in December but made amends by landing the night’s featured Lord North Handicap [sponsored by DP World].
Ridden by Richie Mullen – a featherweight of 53.5kg ruling out stable jockey William Buick – Charlie Appleby’s four-year-old was well positioned throughout the 1800metre contest, winning by a length and a quarter from Fort George.
“He broke well,” said Mullen. “Maurizio Pasquale who rides him each day does a great job and he suggested taking the hood off. He’s a typical Ghaiyyath – they’re late developers – and he’s a big raw horse. He’s a horse who won’t do anything instantly, he needs winding up, but he will get a mile and a half once he learns to race the right way.
“It was a strongly run race which meant we weren’t on top of each other, and that’s where he comes into his own.”
Owners RRR Racing are renowned for having good sprinters and they could have another in Cats By Five, who beat G1 winner Danyah by a length and a quarter in the DP World GCC Handicap, over 1200metres on dirt.
Ridden by Pat Dobbs for trainer Doug Watson, the US import disputed the pace with Echo Point and was strong at the finish, recording his first win since a maiden victory at Horseshoe Indianapolis in 2023.
“I was surprised how well he was travelling as he’s quite laid back and was half asleep going to post,” said Dobbs. “He jumped a lot better than normal and the small field suited him as he wasn’t getting any kick back.
“I don’t think it matters whether its six or seven furlongs [1200 or 1400metres], but the small field is important to him.”
Sticking with the sprinters, and Miss Yechance looks one to follow after her victory in the DP World Express Handicap, over 1000metres on turf.
Second on her UAE debut on dirt, the tiny filly was always up with the pace and got better as the race went on, lengthening close home to give jockey Francisco Leandro Goncalves his first UAE win and a first for Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga since becoming a training partnership.
“I’m really happy, it’s a dream come true for me, said the Brazilian jockey. “I’d like to thank the team and the owners for their patience, as it took a little time to get my first winner, but we got there.
“She’s a really fast filly and she was much better today, more settled beforehand.”
Meydan is back in action next Friday, 16 January, when the G2 Cape Verdi is the feature race.