'My agent thought I would have four' - Buick steals the show with five-timer

Saturday: Newmarket

William Buick stole the show on a sun-soaked afternoon at the July course, winning the final five races on the card.

The runaway jockeys' championship leader recorded his first five-timer at a single meeting at combined odds of 69-1, with the highlight of the haul coming in the Listed Aphrodite Stakes on Eternal Pearl.

However, just as important was the victory in the finale on Auditor in a 7f handicap run in memory of Niall Kavanagh, a late employee of Jockey Club catering at the track.

Buick said: "I've ridden a five-timer across two meetings before but never at one track. It was great to get the last one for Niall Kavanagh as so many of his family and friends are here this afternoon."

Kavanagh was a local man who died of a brain tumour last year aged just 19.

Eternal Pearl and William Buick return to warm applause

All but one of Buick's five winners were sent off favourite so the jockey was not unduly surprised by his tally and was hopeful before racing.

After recording his 79th winner of the season, he said: "I thought I had a good chance of a decent day this morning and my agent Tony Hind thought I would have four, but he always says that. It's not a bad way to be heading into a three-day break and hopefully I can kick on again on Wednesday."

Charlie Appleby held the filly Eternal Pearl in such regard in the spring that he pitched her into black-type company on just her second start.

After a confidence-boosting win at Kempton last time, the daughter of Frankel followed up with a progressive display under Buick to cut down front-runner Rose Of Kildare.

Appleby said of the 5-4 favourite: "We've always liked this filly who is still learning on the job. There are no immediate targets for her but we may take her to the US later on for the Belmont Invitational."

Sense Of Power was Buick's fourth winner of the afternoon

Buick won three more races on the card. He was successful in the mile handicap on Koy Koy before wins on Charging Thunder in the 1m6f handicap and back in the famous blue silks on Sense Of Power in the 7f maiden.

The 11-8 chance defied a long absence to put favourite Royal Parade in the shade.

Appleby said: "Sense Of Power picked up an injury after his debut on the all-weather last winter. He's a fine strong type who we could consider for Dubai next winter."

Takeaway for Williams

Stuart Williams and Marco Ghiani receive their prizes

Stuart Williams is a big fan of local Indian eatery Montaz on Old Station Road and fittingly won the 6f sprint which was backed by the restaurant for the first time.

His Akkeringa won the race under a fine ride from Marco Ghiani and was cheered on by Montaz owner Ziar Choudary among others.

He said: "I backed the winner alright and it's great to be able to continue our sponsorship at Newmarket. We used to sponsor a two-year-old race at the Craven meeting for around ten years, but at the beginning of the year takings were down because of Covid so we had to wait."

Results, replays and analysis

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