Photo from Instagram @saffie.osborne

What a day for Saffie Osborne. And what a moment for racing.

On 12th September 2026, Saffie became the first female jockey to ride the winner of a British Classic, partnering Highwayman, trained by Joseph O’Brien, to victory in the 250th running of the World’s Oldest Classic – The St Leger – at Doncaster Racecourse.

It feels particularly significant this year, as back in June we focused our efforts in celebrating the anniversary of another landmark moment for female jockeys, marking 30 years since Alex Greaves became the first woman to ride in The Derby.

When Alex lined up on Portuguese Lil in 1996, simply having a woman in the Derby was history. Thirty years on, Saffie has gone one step further and put her name on the roll of honour as a Classic-winning jockey.

And it isn’t just happening here.

2026 has already seen Rachel King become the first female jockey to win the Australian Derby, while we’ve seen women continuing to make their mark at the highest level of racing around the world, including Cherie DeVaux becoming the first female trainer of the Kentucky Derby winner.

That is what is so exciting about Saffie’s win today. It isn’t just about one race or one jockey. It is another barrier coming down.

Of course, we hope one day we won’t need to describe these achievements as “firsts”. But until then, they matter. They provide visibility, they challenge perceptions and, perhaps most importantly, they give inspiration to the next generation of female jockeys.

There have been many women who have nudged the door open over the last 59 years:

Val Greaves – the first women to ride under Rules (1967) and the first female jockey to win a professional Jump race (1978)

Meriel Tufnell – the first female jockey to ride a winner under Rules (ladies amateur race) (1972)

Linda Goodwill – first female jockey to ride a winner in an open amateur race (1974)

Karen Wiltshire – first female jockey to ride a winner in a professional Flat race (1978)

Gay Kelleway – first female jockey to ride in a British Classic (1986 Oaks) and first female jockey to ride a Royal Ascot winner (1987)

Alex Greaves – first female jockey to ride in the Derby (1996) and first female jockey to ride a G1 winner (dead heat) (1997)

Hayley Turner – first female jockey to ride 100 winners in a season (2008); first female jockey to ride a G1 winner (outright) (2011) and first female jockey to ride 1,000 winners (2023)

Lizzie Kelly – first female jockey to ride a Gr1 winner (Jumps)

Bryony Frost – first female jockey to ride a Gr1 winner at the Cheltenham Festival (2015)

Rachel Blackmore – first female jockey to ride a Grand National winner (2021)

And now, Saffie Osborne – first female jockey to ride the winner of a British Classic

Congratulations Saffie – what an achievement. 👏