William Buick eyeing ‘huge achievement' in £1.5 million Derby and Oaks
The Godolphin rider, who won the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas in May, has a chance to become the first jockey to land the first four Classics at Epsom on Desert Flower and Ruling Court
William Buick has opened up about his chances of making racing history at Epsom this week. The top jockey won the Betfred 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May on the Charlie Appleby-trained Desert Flower and Ruling Court.
Both Godolphin-owned Classic winners are set to line up at Epsom this week, Desert Flower in the Betfred Oaks and Ruling Court in the £1.5 million Betfred Derby. Ruling Court will attempt to become the first colt since Camelot in 2012 to complete the 2,000 Guineas-Derby double and set himself on a path towards a possible tilt at the Triple Crown, for which Betfred are offering a £2 million bonus.
The last time the same owner, trainer and jockey won the Oaks and Derby in the same year was in 2001 when Imagine and Galileo, won the Epsom Classics for members of the Coolmore partnership, trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Mick Kinane.
Buick, who won the Derby on Masar in 2018, has never won the Oaks and Desert Flower will be his 15th ride in the race he finished second in 12 months ago. No jockey has won the Flat season's first four Classics in the same year.
'I must admit that this year it's a little bit more excitement with the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas winners both going to turn up,' said Jockey Club Racecourses Ambassador Buick.
'We'd like to take it one step at a time. It's a massive, huge thing to do. Both the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas, that was a huge achievement in itself. We'll take each race as they come.'
Ruling Court is the 4-1 second favourite with William Hill for the Derby and the unbeaten Desert Flower 6-4 favourite for the Oaks. Both horses will be tackling 1m4f for the first time.
'Ruling Court is a very well balanced horse with a high cruising speed, he relaxes in his races and has got a turn of foot,' said Buick. 'In that regard he ticks all the boxes. He's a high quality colt.
'Desert Flower is a high class filly. We've always thought the world of her. She just has never stepped a foot wrong. She is tactically incredibly versatile and I don't think Epsom is going to pose any problem to her.
'Of course it would mean a lot to win the Oaks. I've not managed to pull it off. Each season you set out to find a Classic horse. To go to Epsom with two horses of the calibre we have this year is a pleasure.'
Ruling Court is headed in the Derby betting by the Aidan O'Brien trained Delacroix, likely to be ridden by Ryan Moore.
Buick added: 'I feel like I am on the two best horses. There is of course the question mark about the distance. They have never been beyond a mile before but I do feel I am on the two best horses.'
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