A former managing director of the Irish National Stud, he was the man chosen by Sheikh Mohammed first to build up the sheikh's stud farm operations in Ireland and then to establish international racing in Dubai. It was Osborne who, as chief executive of the Emirates Racing Association, supervised the construction of the first Nad Al Sheba grandstand and managed the successful launch of the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup.
A native of Naas, Co Kildare, Osborne also played a pivotal role in many of the major developments in Irish racing over the past twenty years. A former director of the Irish Horseracing Authority and Horseracing Ireland as well as a past chairman of Punchestown Racecourse, at the time of his death he was chairman of the Curragh Racecourse and Training Grounds.One of the most respected advocates of the value of international racing, he offered advice on the development of racing and equestrian industries in a host of countries, including Singapore, China, Korea, Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Portugal and Sweden. Earlier this year, he took on the chairmanship of the World Racing Championships and had been working on proposals to revamp the World Racing Series.
A veterinarian who worked in private practice for 12 years before joining the National Stud in 1970, Osborne was a past president of the Irish Veterinary Association and was a great supporter of the Association's Benevolent Fund.After leaving the National Stud and before going to work for Sheikh Mohammed, Osborne managed North Ridge in Lexington, Ky.