SAFFIE OSBORNE was at the centre of a police investigation after she was sent sickening death and rape threats.
A vile online troll’s messages prompted her dad and trainer Jamie to contact police to get something done about it.
Now, less than two months on, she is one of the hottest riders in the country and leading the Racing League jockey standings.
It is a remarkable personal and professional turnaround for Saffie, who has also overcome horrific injuries on her journey to the top.
Up against the likes of Frankie Dettori, Hollie Doyle and Jim Crowley, no one has done better than Saffie in the blockbuster new £2million series.
And, arguably, no one deserves it more after a disastrous run of bad luck.
It all started at Windsor last October when she was rushed to hospital with a broken arm, ribs and punctured lung after a terrifying fall.
Saffie was flung in front of six-year-old Zeyzoun in an incident that was hard to watch.
Witnesses on-course, including SunSport’s Matt Chapman, called it the worst fall they had ever seen in a Flat race, with the horses behind Saffie charging over the top of her.
After a spell on the sidelines recovering she stormed back and is now enjoying her best season to date with 25 winners and just under £200,000 in earnings.
SICK DEATH THREATS
But it all threatened to come crashing down again for reasons beyond her control in June.
‘Incensed’ Jamie reported to police the sick troll who sent his 19-year-old daughter death and rape threats online.
The former jockey turned trainer wrote on Twitter: “While @OsborneSaffie will not thank me for this post I am afraid as a parent I can no longer ignore this issue.
“Social media abuse has gone too far. I will now begin a crusade to have these people banned from all platforms and will not shy away from bringing prosecutions.”
Jamie posted a photo of the shocking abuse – which included a threat to beat Saffie ‘to death’ – underneath his message.
Horrified members of the racing community expressed their shock at the despicable post.
Sky Sports Racing presenter Alex Hammond said: “This is truly disgusting.
“All the social platforms need to take more responsibility to weed out these cretins.”
To her credit, Saffie seemed less perturbed by it than her old man and kept racing – and winning – throughout.
TERRIFYING STALLS INCIDENT
But more injury woe was to come at Newmarket two weeks later when she was dragged underneath the starting stalls by an unruly horse.
Limping, and with people helping her off the course, she was taken to hospital for checks where fortunately there was no serious damage done.
They say things come in threes so it’s right that now Saffie has something to cheer with her spot atop the Racing League.
From ten runs she has one win, plus a second and third-place finish, and a total of 87 points.
Second-placed Jack Mitchell has 78 points, while Martin Dwyer is on 75.
It’s a fair old drop back then to Sean Levey and Marco Ghiani who share fourth with 61.
Saffie has four rides on Thursday evening’s action from Lingfield.
She gets the leg up on Breath Of Sun, Brains, the bang in-form Menai Bridge and Pride Of England.
Her skill in the saddle has helped Team Swish into a share of fourth, 14 points behind leaders Team Racehorse Lotto.
Oh, and it’s put her on course for a tidy £25,000 bonus as top jockey.
There is a long way to go yet, but no one would begrudge Saffie her biggest win to date after all she’s overcome.
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