Returning to racing action in Dubai after this spring finishing fifth in the United States in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and sixth in the Belmont Stakes (G1), Heart of Honor deserved headline billing at Meydan's second Dubai Racing Carnival meeting of the season Nov. 21.
Back at the scene of his agonizing defeat when runner-up in the UAE Derby (G2) in April, Jamie Osbourne's gelding was typically slowly away in the one-mile Nakheel Stakes—the final race on the card. Jockey Saffie Osborne didn't panic, however, taking a route around most of her rivals and getting a good response once in the clear. Heart of Honor came home well, putting 7 1/4 lengths between himself and second Galactic Star on the line.
It was a relieved Osborne who greeted the gelded son of Honor A. P. afterwards.
"He's frightened us many times in races—that's his style and there's an element of laziness—but he conserves energy for later on," he said. "The listed Entisar (Stakes) in three weeks' time is the plan, as he won't have a penalty in that."
Jim Bryce, who owns Heart of Honor with his wife Claire, added: "It's such a relief, you know he's got the class to do it in theory, but there's no 'gimmes' on this racetrack."
It was a notable victory for Saffie Osborne, too, the jockey having returned this week from three months out due to injury.
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