Michael Buckley heaped praise on Lambourn trainer Jamie Osborne
Wednesday 29 October 2014 16:22, UK
Owner Michael Buckley heaped praise on Lambourn trainer Jamie Osborne on Wednesday as he counts down the hours to Toast Of New York and the Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday night.
One of the fairytale stories of the season, the former Wolverhampton maiden winner struck gold in the UAE Derby at Meydan in March.
He was subsequently supplemented for the Investec Derby but did not take his chance in the premier Classic, instead running on grass at Belmont in July, performing with credit but eventually beaten five and a quarter lengths in sixth.
Osborne returned to America in August for the Pacific Classic on Polytrack, finding only top American horse Shared Belief too good in what was a tremendous effort.
Buckley, who has sold Juvenile Fillies Turf contender Prize Exhibit to stay in America and be trained by Jim Cassidy, said: "I'm a big fan of Jamie's and always have been, any guy that can win 50 races with 50 horses is an exceptional trainer.
"He has been churning that portion of winners out year after year, and if he and Jamie (Spencer) can pull this off, it would be magnificent. I would burst into tears for them.
"Toast Of New York looks like a proper horse, he has put on 30 kilos of weight since Dubai and it is just amazing how he has developed."
