The Ascendant Career of Jockey William Buick: A Force in Horse Racing
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By Tony Calvin
Those in the know say that you should bet not on the horse but on the jockey. And it is true. Success largely depends on him. Today, we will tell you about one of the most amazing jockeys in the history of racing. Yes, he did not become a champion at a young age, but his career is still worthy of attention. So, meet William Buick.
Early Life and Background
Before we move on to the career of this amazing jockey, let’s learn about the beginning of his life. How was his character formed and what kind of people surrounded him?
Birth and Family Background
William was born in 1988 in Norway. His entire family was closely connected with horses. His father was a famous jockey, and his mother was a dressage rider. The future champion did not show much zeal in his studies, but he was fluent in four languages, which made it much easier for him to communicate with other people.
Early Interest in Horse Racing
Thanks to his family, William Buick became interested in horses at an early age. He was good in the saddle and loved to ride. He even did it before school, which made him constantly late. During the summer holidays, he did not slack off but traveled to Great Britain, where he communicated with famous trainers.
Influences and Role Models
Of course, William’s parents had a strong influence on him. This is especially true for his father, who supported his son in his passion. British coaches such as Andrew Balding, Reg Hollinshead, and Marcus Tregoning also played a role in shaping his personality. Thanks to these people, William not only formed certain beliefs but also developed his first professional skills.
Rise in the Horse Racing World
https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/buick-ready-to-return/180274
When William was not yet 18, his coach, Ian Balding, made a bet that this guy would become a champion. He was right, although he had to wait almost 20 years for the win. Let’s find out about the beginning of this long road to victory.
Initial Foray into Competitive Horse Racing
William’s first race took place in August 2006. The first victory did not take long to come, and already in September, he experienced his first success. By the end of the year, having beaten ten winners, he became the best student at his jockey school.
Early Achievements and Wins
Young Buick, who showed great skills from the start, was destined for success. His first victory in 2006 came at Salisbury, riding the winner Bank On Benny for trainer Paul d’Arcy.
Ten wins and two years of work later, Buick was awarded the title of apprentice jockey, along with his schoolmate David Probert. By this time, both had serious competition experience under their belts.
In 2008, he won the Buccellati at Newbury, and a year later won the Grade 1 E. P. Taylor Stakes in Canada on Lahalib. Thanks to these successes, he was appointed as chief jockey to John Gosden in 2010.
Key Milestones in His Riding Career
William’s career has been surprisingly smooth, with no sharp turns or serious upheavals. However, it does have key moments. Apart from his apprentice years, his first significant success was winning the Dubai Sheema Classic on Dar Re Mi, an achievement that confirmed his appointment as the stable’s head jockey.
The summer of 2011 also marked a major step towards becoming a champion. He won the Arlington Million in Chicago and the Prix Morny on Dream Ahead. Buick enjoyed further Group 1 success in subsequent seasons on a variety of horses, but it was his victory aboard the two-year-old Charming Thought in the 2014 Middle Park Stakes that marked the beginning of the next phase in Buick’s career, one that would prove instrumental in his eventual championship run.
Major Career Achievements
https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Buick
Buick did not immediately become a racing star. However, racing with him attracted the attention of the public. Many people bet money on the promising young man. If you also want to make money on horses, check out the greatest offer for your region on this page.
Overview of Notable Wins and Achievements
The story of significant victories begins with Buick’s first race win, which was in 2009 at the E. P. Taylor Stakes in Woodbine, Canada. This victory contributed greatly to his subsequent appointment as head jockey for the Gosden stable.
2010 brought the jockey three more significant victories in Group 1 in Britain and France. The following year, 2011, despite external circumstances, Buick won five more victories in Group 1 races in different countries. In 2012, the number of victories reached 9. In 2014, William signed a contract with Godolphin, and in 2016 he became the main jockey of this stable.
In 2021, he was named Jockey of the Year, and in 2022, he became British Champion, accumulating 153 wins between the Guineas and Champions Day.
Success in Major Racing Events
In 2015, William won the Dubai World Cup, one of the most prestigious championships. He beat his competitors on the horse Prince Bishop. In June of the same year, Buick performed well at the Epsom Derby. In 2018, the jockey won the Epsom Derby. In 2019, he won two Group 1 Dubai World Cup races. 2021 brought him three more victories in such iconic competitions as the Irish Derby and the Paris Grand Prix.
Notable Horses Ridden by Buick
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dar_Re_Mi#/media/File:%E3%83%80%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AC%E3%83%9F.JPG
Over the years, Buick has worked with a huge number of horses. However, only a few have left a significant mark on his career. It is worth starting with Tiny Tim, on whom he won the title of apprentice jockey back in 2008. The next iconic horse was Dar Re Mi, on whom he took part in his first top-level competition.
In 2010 and 2011, Buick scored several wins on Dream Ahead. Another notable horse was Prince Bishop, who Buick rode to victory in the Dubai World Cup. Since 2015, Buick has worked with Jack Hobbs and has won several victories with him. Of course, these are not all the horses that William rode to victory. But these are the most important racehorses in his career.
Riding Style and Strengths
This jockey’s career is truly impressive. But what exactly makes him special and gives him an edge over others?
Detailed Description of His Riding Style
On the track, Buick has a great sense of the horse. This helps him emerge victorious even in the most unfavorable circumstances. At the same time, despite his reverent attitude towards the horse’s health, he is not afraid to take risks. Sometimes, his riding style becomes not just confident but aggressive. For this, Buick has repeatedly received warnings and even been suspended.
Such a risky approach periodically backfires on the jockey himself, who has repeatedly ended up in the hospital with injuries and their consequences. However, this is not at all uncommon in this sport.
Signature Moves and Strategies
Buick is known for his ability to adapt to the circumstances. He changes his style easily if it is necessary to win. He is known for winning prizes by literally miraculously bringing his horse out of a losing position. Daring jerks and working at the limit have become the calling card of this jockey. However, paradoxically, he is also quite cautious.
Comparison With Other Top Jockeys
In 2021, Buick had one main competitor, Oisin Murphy. They finished the season with almost the same results. However, in the decisive competitions, Murphy overtook Buick, leaving him in second place. Later, this victory was canceled due to a violation of quarantine rules. However, many still believe that Murphy was a stronger jockey at that time. In 2022, William Buick managed to achieve the title of Champion of England due to his demand from other stables. Having won 157 races in the season, he was a whole abyss – 66 wins! – ahead of his closest rivals (and spouses) Tom Marquand and Holly Doyle.
Challenges and Resilience
Of course, despite his smoothly developing career, Buick faced difficulties. However, he successfully overcame them.
Major Challenges Faced in His Career
The main difficulties in William’s career are related to professional injuries. He suffered his first serious injury in 2010. At first, it seemed that the fall had no consequences, but an examination revealed a brain hemorrhage. Therefore, Buick was forced to recover for six weeks.
In 2017, he suffered a compression fracture of the spine but returned to the sport two months later and won again. In 2019, he suffered another serious fall. After that, he got back in the saddle and even won. However, his illness forced him to see a doctor. It turned out that this was the result of his previous injuries. Therefore, Buick was forced to recover for three months.
Stories of Resilience and Overcoming Obstacles
Each time, when faced with injuries, Buick did not give up and returned to racing after recovery. Yes, fractures and concussions are not uncommon in this sport. However, many jockeys cannot overcome fear and show good results again. Buick puts his commitments and victories first. He has never canceled his participation without serious reasons.
Key Learning Experiences and Growth
Buick gained an important lesson in late 2018 when he received a suspension for careless riding. He was not allowed to ride for six weeks. It was a great lesson because the jockey has never received such a warning again. Another important period can be called the confrontation with Murphy in 2021. Buick proved himself a worthy opponent and, the following year, received an undisputed victory.
Personal Life and Interests
Much less is known about the personal life of the famous jockey than about his victories on the track. However, we tried to collect all the crumbs of information.
Off-track Interests and Hobbies
In his spare time, which he doesn’t have much, William spends time with his family. He has two sons and a wife. The family prefers a quiet holiday and has not been involved in any scandals.
Philanthropic Activities and Contributions
William regularly participates in charity rides. This type of fundraising for socially significant causes is especially popular in Britain. In addition, the famous jockey helps to train the younger generation and generously shares his experience with young people.
Insights into His Personality and Character
In everyday communication, he is a calm and balanced person. The excitement that William gets from racing is quite enough. Therefore, he never gets into the tabloids and does not become a participant in loud scandals. He is a fairly open person with whom it is pleasant to communicate.
Recent Successes and Current Status
How are things going with the famous jockey now? Let’s find out.
Recent Major Wins and Performances
Buick also had a large number of Group 1 wins in 2023. However, he never surpassed his own results from previous years. This is largely due to circumstances beyond his control. Therefore, the jockey is not upset and hopes to make up for lost time by the end of 2024.
Current Projects and Future Prospects
Buick still works for Godolphin. He has no plans to change stables, although he admits he is tired. The work of a jockey at this level is exhausting and requires constant pressure. However, for William, this is his main passion in life, so he plans to be a professional jockey for at least another 15 years.
Upcoming Races and Expectations
The 2024 season is coming to an end, and Buick is planning to participate in the derby. He also has plans to participate in championships in other countries.
Impact and Legacy
Buick has already written his name into racing history. But that’s not the only legacy he’ll leave behind.
Influence on Young and Upcoming Jockeys
In the world of horse racing, the name of William Buick is a true legend. The younger generation of jockey schools try to emulate him. He also holds classes where he shares his experience. This greatly motivates young riders.
Contributions to Horse Racing Beyond Riding
Buick has always been an activist. Back in 2011, he supported the protest against the minimum prize money. Despite the loss of some opportunities, he stood up for the interests of other jockeys. Today, Buick also does a lot for his stable. He takes great care of the horses and tries to provide them with the best training and racing conditions.
Legacy in the Horse Racing Community
In the racing world, he will always be remembered as the man who consistently improved his performance year after year and went to the top. He was not a young sensation. But Buick did much more. He showed how much can be achieved with talent and daily effort.
Conclusion
William Buick is undoubtedly one of the most interesting jockeys of our time. His career path looks like a steady upward movement. From the outside, it may seem that all victories came easy to him. However, behind this career is not only talent but also hard work.
