'His domination is unbelievable' - Marquand leads praise for champion Buick

William Buick will be crowned British champion Flat jockey for the first time at Ascot on Saturday with a ringing endorsement from his peers.

Buick's coronation comes after running Oisin Murphy close in the last two years, with eight winners separating them in 2020 and just two last year when the title battle went down to the last day at Ascot.

Spurred on by those near-misses, and with Murphy suspended for the season, the 34-year-old has proved to be in a league of his own and will win by the biggest margin since the championship parameters were adjusted in 2015.

Buick has clocked up 157 winners and holds a gap of almost 70 between himself and his nearest challenger in Hollie Doyle. Tom Marquand, who sits narrowly behind Doyle in third, has been amazed by the authority in which the title has been won.

"He stuck his head down at the start of the season, fired in winners and has never stopped," the jockey said. "The domination he's shown is pretty unbelievable as we've all been trying to chase him hard and we're about 70 winners behind.

"It's unfortunate that this is his first championship and there's nobody more deserving of it, for what he's done over the last couple of years. He's proved himself at the top level in the best races and the championship is something he deserves to win as he's the best at the moment."

William Buick: a season to remember for the championCredit: Edward Whitaker

Doyle, who was another jockey billed as a potential title contender at the start of the campaign, said Buick is a worthy champion and a great ambassador for the sport.

"He really deserves it, he's the ultimate professional and an ideal role model for anyone coming into racing to look up to," she said. "It's great that Will can win the championship, he's an exceptional rider."

Buick will be looking to go out with a bang at Ascot when he partners Adayar against the mighty Baaeed in the Qipco Champion Stakes (4.00).

The Godolphin-retained jockey has a full book of rides with Creative Force (Sprint), Eternal Pearl (Fillies & Mares) and Modern Games (QEII) holding leading claims in the other Group 1 contests.

Benoit de la Sayette will be presented with the champion apprentice trophy at Ascot and three-time champion jockey Frankie Dettori paid tribute to the pair.

"I'm really pleased for William, who will finally get his hands on the jockeys' championship," said Dettori in his Sporting Index blog.

"He works really hard and thoroughly deserves it, while you’ve got to mention Benoit de la Sayette too. He's a very talented apprentice and I’m delighted that he's won that title. He looks to have a very bright future ahead of him."

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