Under Starters Orders - William Buick

Features | 3^rd August 2020

Norwegian-born Buick has won over 1000 races in his career and he is the current first choice jockey for Godolphin.

Name: William Buick

Age: 32

Career highlight: Winning the Derby at Epsom Downs aboard Masar in 2018.

Interesting fact: William Buick is a man of many languages. The Godolphin man is fluent in English, Norwegian, Danish and German.

Norwegian-born William began his career as a professional jockey in 2006 under the guidance of trainer Andrew Balding, who is known for his ‘academy’ that nurtures young riding talent. William quickly ascended the ranks to become one of the country’s most successful young riders, winning the title of joint Champion Apprentice Jockey in 2008.

With the backing of the powerful John Gosden stable secured for the 2010 season, William went from strength to strength, winning a top-flight race for the stable on just his fourth ride for them. He also went on to win at the highest level in the UK and Canada that year.

William broke the 100 winners mark for the first time in 2011 and the following year rode a treble on the Friday of Royal Ascot.

Today, William is most regularly seen riding in the royal blue silks of the Godolphin operation, for which he has been retained first jockey since 2016. In 2018, he delivered Godolphin with their first Derby victory aboard Masar. That same year, he recorded Group 1 wins in Ireland, Dubai, France, Hong Kong, Japan and the USA.

In May 2019, Will was sidelined for three months with post-head injury syndrome after falling from a horse. He returned on the 2^nd August with a win on his first ride back and saw out the season with victory in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes aboard one of the most exciting young horses for 2020, Pinatubo.

In 2020, Buick has had a fantastic start to the Flat Jockeys Championship. He’s already notched up 50 winners as well as taking big race victory in the Coronation Cup and beating Enable in the Coral-Eclipse with Ghaiyyath.

William has notched over 1,300 career wins in his time in the saddle.