William Buick joins elite group of current jockeys to have ridden their 2,000th winner in Britain

William Buick reached another landmark in his glittering career as he joined an elite group of riders to partner 2,000 winners in Britain.

The multiple Classic-winning rider, who is a two-time champion jockey in Britain, brought up the milestone with victory on El Cordobes in the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket and went on to have an even more memorable afternoon, with Crimson Rose and Opera Ballo bringing up a treble on the card.

His bid for a 2,000th winner was helped by some pre-race drama when 4-5 favourite Ghostwriter was withdrawn after rearing up in the pre-parade ring in what trainer Clive Cox described as a 'freak incident'.

Ghostwriter taken to hospital after 'freak accident' ruled him out of Newmarket Group 2

He became the seventh current jockey to reach the 2,000-winner mark in Britain, alongside Frankie Dettori, Joe Fanning, Ryan Moore, Jamie Spencer, Luke Morris and Jim Crowley.

Buick said: "It means a lot. When you get to 2,000 winners it makes you realise you've been doing this for quite a long time. For it to happen here at the July course, which is my home track, and for it to be for Charlie [Appleby] and Godolphin in the feature race, it couldn't have worked out any better.

"My family are my biggest supporters so thank you to them and to all the owners and stable staff who have made this happen. It's a big team effort and we know how much it takes to get horses to the races."

On El Cordobes, Buick added: "It was a good race. Obviously Ghostwriter came out, but this horse deserved it. He's quite exciting with a bit of a kick, so I'm delighted with him – I don't think he's the finished article yet."

William Buick's 2,000th British winner came on El Cordobes in the Princess of Wales's StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The landmark is the latest achievement in a fine career for Buick, who is regarded as one of the best riders in the world and was crowned champion Flat jockey in 2022 and 2023.

The son of multiple Scandinavian champion jockey Walter, Norwegian-born Buick had his first ride in Britain in 2006 when he was an apprentice for Andrew Balding, before partnering his first winner in September of that year.

He was joint-champion apprentice in 2008 when tying with David Probert, and rode his first top-level winner on the Mick Channon-trained Lahaleeb in the 2009 EP Taylor Stakes in Canada, before he became number-one jockey to John Gosden a year later.

He enjoyed his first Classic success in 2010 aboard the Gosden-trained Arctic Cosmos in the St Leger, and partnered the likes of The Fugue, Nathaniel, Masked Marvel and Jack Hobbs during a formidable spell for the Clarehaven yard.

Buick was appointed retained rider to Godolphin in 2015, and has enjoyed many memorable successes in the royal blue silks, mainly for Appleby, for whom he has partnered 596 winners for in Britain.

He has enjoyed Classic glory for Godolphin and Appleby twice this year on Ruling Court and Desert Flower in the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas respectively, while his sole Derby success came in 2018 on Masar.

William Buick and Charlie Appleby embrace at Newmarket on ThursdayCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Appleby said he is "very lucky to have William as part of our team" as he reflected on their best moments together.

He said: "Masar winning the Derby is the one that stands out just because of the whole occasion. He's been deadly at the Breeders' Cup meetings, as we've seen on many occasions. We're just very lucky to have him as part of our team and a huge congratulations to him and his family. It's a huge achievement and long may it continue.

"With his rides on horses like Mischief Magic, you've got to have a lot of luck and confidence in your horses going round tracks like Santa Anita and Del Mar and he's pulled it off more than once."

Buick also had a fine Royal Ascot this year when winning the Gold Cup on Trawlerman, the Prince of Wales's Stakes on Ombudsman and the Hardwicke on Rebel's Romance.