Jamie Osborne arrived in Dubai this winter with intent, and by the second meeting of the 2026 Dubai Racing Carnival, that ambition was already paying dividends. The British trainer saddled two winners on the night at Meydan, striking with horses at opposite ends of the spectrum and setting the tone for a meeting that belonged largely to the visitors from the UK.

The first success came courtesy of Sean, a nine-year-old who finally shed his “nearly horse” tag at Carnival level after three seasons of frustration. Contesting the opening DP World Digital Technology Handicap over 1900 metres on turf, Sean was ridden with patience by Saffie Osborne, produced late to collar Kathab, who appeared to have slipped the field turning for home. Sean’s half-length victory came on his 11th appearance at Meydan.

Osborne was visibly emotional afterward, describing the gelding as “a bit of a family pet” and revealing that connections had originally intended to retire him. Instead, persistence was rewarded.

Saffie Osborne explained that a strong tempo was key to unlocking the veteran. Held up off the pace, Sean finally got the race shape he needed, delivering a win that felt earned rather than overdue.

Just over half an hour later, the Osborne team doubled up when Brotherly Love broke his maiden in the Mina Rashid Maiden over 1600 metres on dirt. Owned by Jim and Claire Bryce, the three-year-old— a half-brother to stable star Heart Of Honor—sat quietly along the rail before lengthening decisively to score by four lengths from Yamdeek.

The Bryce family’s confidence in Osborne’s eye for talent was underlined by the fact that Brotherly Love was purchased before Heart Of Honor had even raced. Connections were keen to strike a measured path forward, with Jamie Osborne indicating the Al Bastakiya–UAE Derby route as the likely next step rather than rushing into the UAE 2000 Guineas.

British Momentum Rolls On

The British dominance didn’t end there. Force And Valour, trained by George Scott, continued his strong Carnival form by landing the fourth race under Billy Loughnane. Slow into stride and forced to contend with kickback, the four-year-old showed grit and resolve, running down Laasudood late to score by two lengths.

Loughnane praised the gelding’s toughness, noting that each horse he passed seemed to lift his confidence—a valuable trait on Meydan’s dirt.

The distinctive red silks of Victorious Forever were soon back in the spotlight when Flying Comet captured the Al Wasl Stakes (G2). Partnered by champion jockey Silvestre De Sousa for trainers Simon and Ed Crisford, the three-year-old surged late in a tightly packed finish, edging Words Of Truth and Maximized.

Ed Crisford pointed to the colt’s physical development since arriving in Dubai and suggested softer ground back home had previously blunted his effectiveness. The Dubai Trophy is now under consideration.

Team Crisford completed a memorable night when Ocean Viking claimed the closing Mina Hamriya Handicap over 1900 metres on turf. Making his Meydan debut, the lightly raced five-year-old struck the front inside the final 200 metres under James Doyle and held off Daamiss with authority.

Features and Fast Horses

The night’s centerpiece, the Lord North Handicap, went to Mothecomb, who made no mistake second time out at Meydan. Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by Richie Mullen, the four-year-old travelled smoothly throughout the 1800-metre contest before asserting late to beat Fort George by just over a length.

Mullen credited the decision to remove the hood and described the son of Ghaiyyath as a classic late-developing type, one likely to thrive over longer distances once fully furnished.

Sprint honours went to Cats By Five in the DP World GCC Handicap over 1200 metres on dirt. The Doug Watson-trained import, ridden by Pat Dobbs, outdueled G1 winner Danyah, showing speed and determination in a performance that suggested further wins are within reach under the right conditions.

Another sprinter to note was Miss Yechance, who followed up a promising UAE debut by taking the DP World Express Handicap over 1000 metres on turf. Always prominent, the filly pulled clear late to give Francisco Leandro Goncalves his first winner in the UAE and mark a breakthrough victory for the new training partnership of Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga.

The Carnival resumes next Friday, 16 January, with the G2 Cape Verdi set to headline another competitive evening at Meydan.