By HRI Foreign Desk Staff — William Buick had racing fans on the edge of their seats in the closing stages of the 2021 flat season, as he tried everything within his powers to try and steal the Champion Jockey crown from the grasp of Oisin Murphy. The stage was set at Ascot’s British Champions Day and when Buick won the Sprint Stakes aboard Creative Force the race was well and truly on.
However, with the 33-year-old faring no better than fifth in the saddle of Adayar in the Champion Stakes, Murphy was crowned the Champion Jockey at the royal Berkshire racecourse for the third time in a row. It is a bitter pill to swallow for Buick, whose rides are often at the forefront of the Betdaq horse racing tips, but he still had a fantastic season saddling 151 winners — just two less than Murphy.
So, with the curtain drawn on another thrilling flat season and the return of the jumps campaign on the horizon, let’s take a look back at some of Buick’s best victories from this year. Read on to find out more.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Adayar
While Adayar couldn’t help Buick on his late pursuit of a maiden Champion Jockey accolade, he did land the British rider a victory at Royal Ascot earlier in the season. The 2021 Derby winner, who was ridden to victory by Adam Kirby at Epsom, set off at 9/4 in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He went a length clear a furlong out and kept on well in the closing stages to beat Mishriff by almost two lengths, while 13/8 favourite Love was over three lengths back in third.
St. Leger – Hurricane Lane
Hurricane Lane is a horse Buick has enjoyed a wealth of success aboard this season, with victories in the Irish Derby at the Curragh and in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp to name just a few. However, the victory we have pinpointed is in the St. Leger Stakes. The odds-on favourite at Doncaster on the back of those aforementioned Group 1 triumphs, the Charlie Appleby-trained horse was ridden clear one furlong out and he went on to win comfortably, beating Mojo Star by almost three lengths.
Dewhurst Stakes – Native Trail
Four victories in the saddle of Native Trail this season, including in the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh, Buick’s biggest victory with the Appleby-trained horse was in the recent Dewhurst Stakes, one of the top races in the world for two-year-olds, at Newmarket. Switched right a furlong out, the unbeaten Native Trail started to challenge and he took the lead in the final 110 yards to win by two lengths clear of Dubawi Legend.
Sprint Stakes – Creative Force
After three races without a victory, Creative Force bounced back at British Champions Day, landing a massive win in the Sprint Stakes and keeping Buick’s Champion Jockey hopes alive — albeit short lived. Taking the lead from defending champion Glen Shiel inside the final furlong, Creative Force went on to beat Hollie Doyle and the Archie Watson-trained horse by a length. The favourite, Art Power, was back in fourth behind 16/1 chance Minzaal.
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Buick also secured his first Sun Chariot Stakes this year, winning the Newmarket Group 1 in the saddle of Saffron Beach, while he also won the Prix de la Forêt with Space Blues at ParisLongchamp.