William Buick still fighting for Champion Jockey title

Features | 4^th November 2020

Buick has vowed to fight until the very end in his quest to become Champion Flat Jockey, with the season concluding at Doncaster this Saturday 7^th November.

With four days of riding remaining, William Buick is currently 12 wins behind leader and reigning Champion Jockey, Oisin Murphy in the 2020 Flat Jockeys’ Championship.

However, Murphy rode his final winner of the campaign aboard Lord of the Glen at Southwell yesterday and now heads off to the United States to ride in the Breeders Cup.

Buick, who is aiming to become Champion Flat Jockey for the first time in his career, had a win aboard Tenaya Canyon at Newcastle yesterday and looks set to have a host of rides in the coming days at Kempton Park, Newcastle and Doncaster as he bids to overhaul the gap.

2020 Flat Jockeys' Championship

Flat Jockeys

Jump Jockeys

Annual Flat Jockeys

The 32-year-old said: “It’s been such a rewarding season for me for many reasons and one of those has been the Champion Jockey title race. I recall just before the Qatar Goodwood Festival, I spoke to my agent, Tony Hind, and we thought we were in with a chance so decided to put all of our focus into it.”

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy, it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and ability and you have to be the full package to become Champion Jockey, but I’ve relished the challenge and we will give it our all until the very end.”

“I’ve had a great season with Charlie Appleby and Godolphin, most notably the fantastic wins with Ghaiyyath, and they have been very supportive which means a lot.”

“I’ve also received some tremendous support from so many other trainers and owners and I cannot thank them enough. To become Champion Jockey would be huge for me personally, you look at the roll of honour of previous Champion Jockeys, and I would love to add my name to that list.”

Stand-out performances for the Buick so far this season include an impressive 14 UK Group race victories, most recently the Group 1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes aboard Wonderful Tonight on QIPCO British Champions Day.

Buick has ridden 45 winners for Charlie Appleby who is therefore his top trainer partnership, his best performing track has been Newmarket where he has enjoyed 22 victories, and he has earned over £2.5 million in prize money so far this season.

Oisin Murphy leads the title race with 142 wins compared to Buick’s current tally of 130. Both are ahead of Tom Marquand (113) and Hollie Doyle (94) in third and fourth respectively