Oisin Murphy might have won the battle - but William Buick is winning the war

While Charlie Appleby took many of the plaudits as a spectacular Breeders' Cup offered the perfect denouement to his wonderful campaign, his number one jockey William Buick is just as deserving of praise.

After staying calm on Modern Games when all around him were losing their heads among the pre-race drama of Friday's Juvenile Turf, Buick ended Space Blues's career on a high in the Mile on Saturday before delivering a ride of pure perfection on Yibir in the Turf.

The lingering disappointment of his battle with Oisin Murphy to become champion jockey is no doubt still very much in his mind, but when Buick can point to a magnificent 32 Group or Graded victories this year compared to his rival's 12, who can really say they have had the more successful year? Indeed, Buick's 12 wins at the highest level is more than Murphy has managed in the past three seasons.