RACING’S golden girl Saffie Osborne has lost a major Ascot ride on her historic horse Highwayman.
Osborne became the first woman jockey to win a Classic when she roared to victory on the Joseph O’Brien-trained colt in Doncaster’s St Leger last month.
Becoming front-page news saw Osborne’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards odds plummet.
And she has remained in sensational form since, landing a 696-1 double at Newmarket just last Friday.
But she won’t be reunited with Highwayman in the Long Distance Cup on Saturday, with the superstar stayer having been supplemented at a cost of £37,500 on Monday morning.
Instead, O’Brien’s No1 Dylan Browne McMonagle will return to the saddle for the 7-2 chance.
The Irish jockey suffered a terrible fall at Bellewstown on August 25, with his mount Mosel sadly dying as a result.
He was forced to miss key rides – including on Highwayman in the final Classic of the season – as a result.
McMonagle, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season highlighted by, among others, his Oaks win on Thundering On, is now ready to return.
O’Brien confirmed: “Highwayman has been supplemented for the staying race.
“He’s had a good preparation. I’m happy with him and he’s trained well since Doncaster.
“It’s a step up to go against the older horses and up further in distance. Hopefully, he can cope with it.
“Dylan’s back riding, so hopefully everything goes smoothly this week and he’ll be back riding this weekend.
“He’s been off for a while now, so it’s great for him and for us to have him back.”
Osborne can still look forward to a couple of promising rides on the spectacular Ascot Champions Day card, however.
In the opening two-year-old race she’s jocked up on Richard Spencer’s 98-rated Speed of Sound.
And in the closing Balmoral handicap over a mile she’s down to ride dad Jamie’s Hickory.
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