‘They both like making life difficult for me’ - Brotherly Love goes one place better than famous sibling in Dubai

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Brotherly Love managed to exceed an achievement of his exalted sibling Heart Of Honor by winning the Listed Dubai Road To The Kentucky Derby (formerly Al Bastakiya) at Meydan on Friday.

The pair, who both race for Jamie Osborne and owners Jim and Claire Bryce, have a habit of creating extra work for jockey Saffie Osborne by getting themselves behind in their races and requiring a lot of stoking along.

Heart Of Honor had rallied to finish a head second in this dirt race a year ago before finishing a similarly narrow runner-up in the UAE Derby. He would go on to claim an honourable fifth in the Preakness Stakes and has added to his haul in Dubai this winter, landing a first stakes race in December and recently finishing third in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge.

The pair were both bred by David Redvers out of Chilean Group 1 winner Ruby Love. Heart Of Honor, by Honor A. P. was bought by Jamie Osborne for €160,000 at the 2024 Arqana Breeze-Up Sale from Meadowview Stables.

The trainer swooped for Brotherly Love, a half-brother by Zoustar, for 40,000gns from Redvers’ Tweenhills operation, at Tattersalls Book 2 only five months later.

Brotherly Love, who landed a maiden at Meydan in January, did respond to his rider’s commands and came through nicely inside the final furlong to win by two lengths from Duke Of Immatin. He was the 77th individual worldwide stakes winner for Zoustar, who has spent much of his career shuttling between Tweenhills in Gloucestershire and Widden Stud, from where he was last season’s champion Australian sire.

“He’s becoming like his brother in ability and demeanour,” Saffie Osborne said. “They both like making life difficult for me, but when I came out into the straight and he switched leads I always felt like I was going to pick them up. He stays all day, this horse, and has a lot of class.

“It was gutting to get pipped in this race last year with Heart of Honor so it’s great to avenge that for Jim and Claire, it’s very special for them. That’s Dad’s sixth winner of the Carnival and I’m not sure people realise how hard that is to do.”

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