William Buick on magical memories, Dubai World Cup night and fatherhood

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  • He stands on a platform within Meydan Racecourse and when the moment comes he lifts his prestigious golden whip over his head and shakes it to the warm UAE sky. There are 60,000 people here and they chant his name. “William, William, William.”

    And just like that it’s over. Another Dubai World Cup night finished. Another win for Godolphin as they further cement their status at the pinnacle of world horse racing. For jockey William Buick, it was another remarkable win to add to his burgeoning CV. At 26-years-of-age, the world was his oyster.

    It’s four years since that golden evening when Prince Bishop, ridden by Buick, sprinted clear of California Chrome to win by two and three-quarter lengths. And as each year has passed the Norwegian-born rider has become both a master and an inspiration in the saddle, achieving over 300 winners for the Godolphin stable alone – plus over 1,200 in total.

    “It was special,” he says, recalling Prince Bishop’s win. “When I grew up wanting to be a jockey, it was a race that I only vaguely heard of. It was so big. I had pictures of Dubai Millennium on my wall when he won the World Cup back in 2000.

    “To be able to win it myself back in 2015 on Prince Bishop was fantastic. It was in quite spectacular circumstances.

    “More recently, Jack Hobbs winning the Sheema Classic in 2017 and Hawkbill in 2018. My first Dubai World Cup winner was Dar Re Mi in 2010. They are all great memories and it’s such an important night in our sport.”

    The Dubai World Cup is one of the most special nights on the UAE sporting calendar, and Buick is a key figure for Godolphin, the home team founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

    “It’s just one of those nights that really gets the blood pumping. It’s a lot of adrenaline, big night, big show, good horses, very competitive races,” the Norwegian-born jockey said.

    “It’s that bit of added spice with Godolphin, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the royal family there. You get a real home team feel about it. It’s an incredibly important night.”

    He has seen plenty of magical days since his first race at Brighton in 2006, but last season was one of his most successful and enjoyable. He rode Group 1 winners at Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood, as well as on Arc day in France.

    However, his personal highlight was a red letter day on Masar at the Epsom Derby, sparking a memorable first win for Sheikh Mohammed in the royal blue silks of Godolphin.

    “For Sheikh Mohammed to win the Derby in his own silks was very, very special. It was an incredibly well deserved win for him. Nobody deserves that more than him,” the 30-year-old said.

    It will be his 10th appearance at the world’s richest race meeting this weekend and he looks set to ride five Godolphin horses – two of whom have been utterly dominant in Carnival races this season.

    Blue Point, in particular, looks the real deal after his stunning victory at Super Saturday three weeks ago, when he was a comfortable winner by three lengths. A display that again backs up his supreme class for the Al Quoz Sprint.

    “He’s always been held in massive regard in the stable, ever since he was a two-year-old. He is a group one winner now. He won the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last year in what was a massive performance. A large part of us feel he hasn’t reached his full potential just yet,” said Buick.

    “What we’ve seen of him in those last two runs in Dubai this season shows a horse who is putting everything together. He’s much more a finished article as a five-year-old. He’s a lot more confident, relaxed and goes about his job. He’s very impressive.”

    Old Persian’s win on the same night was also impressive as Buick used all his experience to navigate the four-year-old away from a congested field to beat stablemate Racing History by a head. A win which sets him up nicely for the Dubai Sheema Classic.

    “Old Persian has got a lovely profile. He had a long, busy year last year. He was a King Edward VII winner at Royal Ascot and then won the Great Voltigeur Stakes after that,” he said.

    “I was so pleased with him on Super Saturday. It was a muddling race, slow pace and he had to show his class to win, which he did. I know it was only a short margin but it was quite comfortably at the end. (Old Persian) is very similar to Blue Point, it gives him a lovely stepping stone for the Dubai Sheema Classic. It was a performance that we were all very pleased with.”

    Fatherhood is on Buick now. Son Thomas is only three-months-old but, for him and his partner Jane, life is good. Residing in Newmarket, Suffolk, he is close to work and balances his time between racing, travelling and family life.

    He turns 31 in July but speaks with the maturity of a man 10 years older. He has seen a lot during his 13 years in the saddle but has always remained in the present, enjoying every moment, and being true to himself.

    “You have to have the mindset. You have to get on with it and move on to the next day. By tomorrow it could all be forgotten,” he said.

    “We’ve been lucky. (Thomas) has slept well through the night from the early days. We haven’t had a horrific lack of sleep. He’s been great. It does change you because before I was number one. Now there’s three of us. We make a plan, pack, make sure he is okay. It’s fantastic, amazing and it’s for the better.”

    Win, lose or draw in Dubai on Saturday night, he will be back on the saddle again a few days later, striving to win and taking confidence in doing what he loves best on a daily basis.

    “I’m massively enjoying it. There is a nice balance between enjoyment, focus and a job,” he said.

    “It’s a massive team effort with Godolphin. We are very blessed with some beautifully bred horses who are showing their immense qualities. I wouldn’t even call it a job, it’s my passion.”

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