Osborne enjoys quick return as Free Zone bolts up in new silks

Jamie Osborne has done more than his share of horse trading over the years, but he has seldom had more fun at it than when turning a quick profit on comfortable Hamilton winner Free Zone at the weekend.

Osborne had no involvement with the seven-year-old until buying him on a whim at Newmarket’s horses in training sale on Friday, yet just 24 hours later he was in front on the deal after Free Zone was a comfortable winner some 350 miles away, carrying his own distinctive pink silks, but still in the hands of David O’Meara.

And there is more to come too, as the former 105-rated handicapper, who has now won eight times yet was racing off only 80 at Hamilton, is likely to turn out again quickly at Redcar.