Saffie Osborne returns at Wolverhampton after recovery from horror fall

Apprentice jockey Saffie Osborne returns to action at Wolverhampton on Monday night, five months on from suffering multiple injuries in a horror fall at Windsor.

The 19-year-old daughter of jockey-turned-trainer Jamie Osborne was knocked unconscious after her mount clipped heels with another horse in an incident in October which left her with a broken left lower arm, dislocated wrist, five broken ribs and a punctured lung.

An accomplished event rider, Osborne had made a fabulous start by riding seven of her nine winners the previous month, having only had her first ride in July, which also came at Wolverhampton.

'I was in a fair mess'

"It's been a long road but I'm finally there and all credit has to go to Oaksey House as I was in a fair mess and they got me going really quickly after the fall," she said.

"I've tried to make something good out of it and it's given me the chance to improve my strength and fitness. I'm probably fitter now than when I was riding before and I'm looking forward to trying to get some momentum for the start of the turf season."

Osborne is taking it one step at a time but admits to harbouring hopes of sustaining a challenge for the apprentice jockeys' title, which has been won for the past two seasons by Cieren Fallon.

"The apprentice title is always going to be in the back of my mind, but I'm focusing on improving my riding and building up as many contacts as possible," she said. "I've been riding out for a month now and have just signed to Niall Hannity as my agent."

Toast Of New York: Saffie Osborne rides UAE Derby winner's half-sister Sunshine Fun at WolverhamptonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Osborne has rides in the two novice races at Wolverhampton on Sunshine Fun (5.50) and Jersey Gift (8.20), both for her father.

She said: "I wouldn't be surprised to see both finish in the frame. Sunshine Fun is a half-sister to Toast Of New York, so is quite special. I was only young when he was around, so it would be quite cool if I could be part of his history.

"She hasn't run since picking up an injury on her debut as a two-year-old, but she's been working really well. Jersey Gift ran two creditable races at Kempton last month and is a nice prospect as well."

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