William Buick dreams of championship glory as younger rivals keep him sharp

Winning the Stobart Flat Jockeys’ Championship remains high on William Buick’s bucket list and the rider has not ruled out having a go at landing the title this season.

A former champion apprentice, Buick, 30, is a 66-1 shot to win this year’s championship, which started on Saturday, and came closest to lifting the prize when second to Silvestre de Sousa in 2015.

Last year’s champion De Sousa is a best-priced 11-10 favourite to win a fourth title this season, with Oisin Murphy next best in the betting at 5-4 to land his first championship.

Buick said: “I have been relatively close to winning it before. I’ll know where I stand in terms of doing it after Royal Ascot. There are a couple of lads who seem to have the freedom to ride any horse at any meeting any day, but it would be lovely to tick it off.

“However, my first priority is always to Godolphin and I always want to ride winners for Godolphin. My personal goals are important to me but it’s a big team effort here and that’s what comes first. That said, I do think it’s something that could be done.”

William Buick and Masar win last year's DerbyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Buick claimed his first success in the Derby last year on Masar and has plundered a number of big prizes throughout his career, including the Dubai Sheema Classic, Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, Irish Derby and the Irish Champion Stakes.

Magnificent seven

Countries in which William Buick won a top-level race last year

UAEHawkbill, Sheema Classic, March
Hong KongPakistan Star, QEII Cup, April
BritainMasar, Derby, June
IrelandQuorto, National Stakes, September
FranceWild Illusion, Prix de l'Opera, October
USALine Of Duty, Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, November
JapanStelvio, Mile Championship, November

However, far from being disinterested in the run-of-the-mill fixtures in between the major festivals, Buick sees them as important in keeping him sharp and focused.

He said: “You can never rest on your laurels in this sport or any other. I’m not old, but I’m 30 now and I can see the younger riders coming through all the time. You have to keep up and you have to up your game year after year. You have to try and better yourself.

“The reality in sport is that if you don’t keep upping and improving your game then you get passed. That’s why the bread and butter meetings are just as important as they keep you sharp and they keep you hungry. You want to be good every day, not just the big days.”

Buick is set to partner the Charlie Appleby-trained Line Of Duty in next week’s Al Bastiworld Dante Stakes at York before a tilt at the Investec Derby next month.

“The Dante’s always an informative race. Charlie always felt the horse would want a step up in trip and hopefully all goes well for him at York,” Buick added.

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