Osborne gives Heart Of Honor Kentucky Derby option

Jamie Osborne has paid the nomination fee for Heart Of Honor in the Kentucky Derby, but has suggested the timing between his brave run at Meydan on Saturday and the May 3 highlight is very tight.

While he has not totally ruled the Derby out, the second two legs of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont, could come into the equation.

The Japanese horse Admire Daytona held off Heart Of Honor by a nose to deny Osborne, his daughter Saffie and owners Jim and Claire Bryce.

“He’ll be home Monday evening. It was a tough one,” said Osborne.

“You should be immune to it by now, but I don’t think I ever will be. It would have been wonderful for Jim and Claire and wonderful for Saffie. I think that’s the thing that hurt most in a way.

“I’m not going to get too many opportunities to win big races with Saffie and that was one. It’s been a long-term plan and it very nearly happened.

“To be that close and feel that if you run that race 10 times we probably win six, it was one of those pills you have to swallow – but it doesn’t get any easier.”

Heart Of Honor was having his fifth run in Dubai, winning twice and finishing second the other three times, including the UAE 2000 Guineas.

Osborne said: “We had a really good prep, the time between his last race and this one had done him the world of good, we had no issues to manage and we did everything we wanted to with him. He was as good as he could have been on the day and sadly we were a few centimetres out.

“I’d say we’ll never run him on turf, it wouldn’t suit his style. The only way he’d run in the UK is if he needed a prep before going on our travels, but I think that is unlikely.

“We’ve paid the nomination fee for the Kentucky Derby today. He’s been given a place. It’s very tight, we’ll have see how he is over the next few days. Potentially it might be odds against given the timing.

“What we would consider, with a little more time, is the Preakness and the Belmont. I don’t think that’s the most stupid idea if he’s OK and doesn’t look in need of a break.

“The races for a horse like this are very obvious next winter. He’ll start in a Maktoum Challenge and work back from potentially the Saudi Cup and/or the World Cup.

“He’s got a rating of 111 so he needs to improve 10lb to be competitive in those races, but he’s a big horse and has come a long way in a short time. I would be hopeful there is that improvement in him.

“I don’t want to do anything in the next eight weeks that could be detrimental to his chances next winter.”