Latest news with #BritishClassics
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
How Daniel Dubois will pull off the biggest win of a monumental sporting weekend
The 27-year-old British heavyweight needs to avenge a defeat to Oleksandr Usyk but is in the prime of his heavyweight career ahead of the Wembley showdown Approaching a monumental sporting weekend, here's an interesting exercise. Make a list of great athletes who are acknowledged for their excellence but do not get the neon attention their talent deserves. There is one currently taking part in the Tour de France. Tadej Pogacar is well on his way to becoming the greatest bike rider that has ever lived but a household name outside of the cycling bubble? No. Another at the absolute peak of his powers is Ryan Moore, who has won 18 British Classics. But if you were not into horse-racing, there would be little chance of you recognising the record-breaking jockey if he walked into the local. That is two, for starters. And another will take centre-stage on Saturday. If there was one sporting event I attended last year that generated way more comment - way more - about the loser than about the victor, it was on September 21, 2024. That was a night on which Daniel Dubois produced one of the most destructive, explosive heavyweight performances seen in a British boxing ring. Yet all the talk was about what had happened to his opponent, Anthony Joshua. To jog the memory, here is what happened. Joshua - twice a world champion - was severely beaten by a younger, more skilful, more powerful fighter, whose hands carried twice the speed and force of Joshua's. That is what happened. It was a sensational win, confirming his IBF world title and following up a brilliant stoppage of the previously unbeaten Filip Hrgovic. But acknowledgement of his feats remained low-key. Dubois did not even make the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Presumably, it is because Dubois does not talk a great deal and when he does speak, he is fairly guarded. He has not exactly thrown himself into the build-up to Saturday's meeting with Oleksandr Usyk but this is a fight that does not need talking up. Beaten by the Ukrainian in April, 2023 - a bout which saw the British fighter knock Usyk down in the fifth only for the punch to be controversially deemed a low blow - Dubois now has the tools to upset the odds at Wembley. Pound for pound, Usyk is one of the best boxers to have ever lived, there is no doubt about that. But there will come a time when age will blunt his weapons, if only by small degrees. Usyk will turn 39 in January. At 27, Dubois has been on a learning curve, both mentally and physically. For a boxer to have his or her stomach/heart for the fight questioned must be as hurtful as it gets but that is what happened to Dubois when he took a knee in defeat to Joe Joyce. It transpired he had suffered a career-threatening - indeed sight-threatening eye injury. And some observers suggested Dubois had 'quit' in that ninth-round defeat to Usyk two years ago. But one thing is for sure - Dubois did not quit against Jarrell Miller when he won late in the tenth round of his first fight since the Usyk defeat. And he did not quit against Hrgovic and did not quit against Joshua, a fight for which he was a clear underdog. Again, Dubois does not talk about how the 'quitting' accusations hurt him but his response has been to grow more skilful and more destructive as a fighter. Illness meant Dubois had to pull out of a fight with Joseph Parker in February and ten months is a long lay-off. But the evidence of the win over Joshua suggests Usyk will be facing a fighter who has become the hardest puncher in the division. Dubois does not look for the headline and the spotlight but come late Saturday night and Sunday morning, he might not be able to avoid them. Because on a monumental sporting weekend, I fancy Dubois to pull off the most monumental victory.
North Wales Chronicle
10-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Buick swoops for 2,000th British winner aboard El Cordobes
The four-year-old was one of two Charlie Appleby-trained, Godolphin-owned horses in the race alongside Arabian Crown, and started at 7-2 with John and Thady Gosden's Palladium the 13-8 favourite after the late withdrawal of Ghostwriter. Buick took his time in the Group Two before knuckling down in the final three furlongs, when he switched out to find some room and kicked clear for a two-length win over Wimbledon Hawkeye for a famous success. Buick said: 'It means a lot and I suppose it tells me and everyone else that I've been doing this for quite a long time! 'It's something I wasn't really aware of until pretty recently and you never quite know when it's going to happen. 'There are some places to do it that aren't as glamorous as Newmarket's July meeting, no offence, so to do it here at my home track, for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin, makes it all the more special. 'It wasn't by design, you can't design these things, but I'm very happy it happened the way it did. 'I'm lucky to have been champion jockey and I've ridden some fantastic horses for some fantastic people. I had a great time with John Gosden and now with Charlie and Godolphin, I've always been in a very privileged position and I'm grateful for all the support I've had over the years. 'It goes without saying that my family are my biggest supporters, so thank you to them and all the owners and trainers and stable staff and the great horses along the way. 'Hopefully it can continue.' On future ambitions, he added: 'You're always looking forward and always looking for the next one. 'There's still loads I haven't done and races I haven't won, the Oaks being one.' Buick, 36, has been Appleby's principal rider since 2015 and has claimed four of the five British Classics, with the Oaks the only one missing. He has won the last two renewals of the 2000 Guineas with Notable Speech and Ruling Court, doubling up in the 1000 this year on Desert Flower. He has claimed the St Leger three times and the 2018 Derby on Masar. The only other jockeys still active to have ridden over 2,000 British winners are Joe Fanning, Jamie Spencer, Ryan Moore, Luke Morris and Jim Crowley, as well as Frankie Dettori, who is currently riding in America. Buick said: 'The one race that stands out is the Derby as we all know the Derby is special and it's the one race everyone wants to win.' Asked to pick out one ride from Buick that he had given to one of his horses that was the most memorable, Appleby not surprisingly said: 'Masar in the Derby. Just because of the whole occasion and what it meant. 'If you're asking when I felt he's made the difference between winning and losing I'd have to say some of the Breeders' Cup meetings, he's been deadly round there. 'We're very lucky to have him as part of our team and congratulations to him and all his family, it's a huge achievement, long may it continue.' Buick wasted little time in making it winner number 2,001 when steering Crimson Rose to victory in the following British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes. The Appleby-trained chestnut, who is by Invincible Spirit and out of the Group-winning mare Ideal Beauty, was a 7-2 chance and prevailed by a comfortable four lengths on the line. And it was three on the day for the Buick-Appleby combination with the impressive Opera Ballo (11-8 favourite) taking the Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.
RTÉ News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
William Buick rides 2,000th British winner with Princess of Wales's victory aboard El Cordobes
El Cordobes came to the fore to give William Buick his 2,000th British winner in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket. The four-year-old was one of two Charlie Appleby-trained, Godolphin-owned horses in the race alongside Arabian Crown, and started at 7-2 with John and Thady Gosden's Palladium the 13-8 favourite after the late withdrawal of Ghostwriter. Buick took his time in the Group Two before knuckling down in the final three furlongs, when he switched out to find some room and kicked clear for a two-length win over Wimbledon Hawkeye for a famous success. Buick said: "I haven't really been counting down, I thought I was further away than what I was and then it got to single figures and obviously then you realise. "It's nice to do it at Newmarket." Buick, 36, has been Appleby's principal rider since 2015 and has claimed four of the five British Classics, with the Oaks the only one missing. He has won the last two renewals of the 2000 Guineas with Notable Speech and Ruling Court, doubling up in the 1000 this year on Desert Flower. He has claimed the St Leger three times and the 2018 Derby on Masar. The only other jockeys still active to have ridden over 2,000 British winners are Joe Fanning, Jamie Spencer, Ryan Moore, Luke Morris and Jim Crowley, as well as Frankie Dettori, who is currently riding in America.
South Wales Guardian
10-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Buick swoops for 2,000th British winner aboard El Cordobes
The four-year-old was one of two Charlie Appleby-trained, Godolphin-owned horses in the race alongside Arabian Crown, and started at 7-2 with John and Thady Gosden's Palladium the 13-8 favourite after the late withdrawal of Ghostwriter. Buick took his time in the Group Two before knuckling down in the final three furlongs, when he switched out to find some room and kicked clear for a two-length win over Wimbledon Hawkeye for a famous success. Buick said: 'It means a lot and I suppose it tells me and everyone else that I've been doing this for quite a long time! 'It's something I wasn't really aware of until pretty recently and you never quite know when it's going to happen. 'There are some places to do it that aren't as glamorous as Newmarket's July meeting, no offence, so to do it here at my home track, for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin, makes it all the more special. 'It wasn't by design, you can't design these things, but I'm very happy it happened the way it did. 'I'm lucky to have been champion jockey and I've ridden some fantastic horses for some fantastic people. I had a great time with John Gosden and now with Charlie and Godolphin, I've always been in a very privileged position and I'm grateful for all the support I've had over the years. 'It goes without saying that my family are my biggest supporters, so thank you to them and all the owners and trainers and stable staff and the great horses along the way. 'Hopefully it can continue.' On future ambitions, he added: 'You're always looking forward and always looking for the next one. 'There's still loads I haven't done and races I haven't won, the Oaks being one.' Buick, 36, has been Appleby's principal rider since 2015 and has claimed four of the five British Classics, with the Oaks the only one missing. He has won the last two renewals of the 2000 Guineas with Notable Speech and Ruling Court, doubling up in the 1000 this year on Desert Flower. He has claimed the St Leger three times and the 2018 Derby on Masar. The only other jockeys still active to have ridden over 2,000 British winners are Joe Fanning, Jamie Spencer, Ryan Moore, Luke Morris and Jim Crowley, as well as Frankie Dettori, who is currently riding in America. Buick said: 'The one race that stands out is the Derby as we all know the Derby is special and it's the one race everyone wants to win.' Asked to pick out one ride from Buick that he had given to one of his horses that was the most memorable, Appleby not surprisingly said: 'Masar in the Derby. Just because of the whole occasion and what it meant. 'If you're asking when I felt he's made the difference between winning and losing I'd have to say some of the Breeders' Cup meetings, he's been deadly round there. 'We're very lucky to have him as part of our team and congratulations to him and all his family, it's a huge achievement, long may it continue.' Buick wasted little time in making it winner number 2,001 when steering Crimson Rose to victory in the following British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes. The Appleby-trained chestnut, who is by Invincible Spirit and out of the Group-winning mare Ideal Beauty, was a 7-2 chance and prevailed by a comfortable four lengths on the line. And it was three on the day for the Buick-Appleby combination with the impressive Opera Ballo (11-8 favourite) taking the Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.
Leader Live
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Buick swoops for 2,000th British winner aboard El Cordobes
The four-year-old was one of two Charlie Appleby-trained, Godolphin-owned horses in the race alongside Arabian Crown, and started at 7-2 with John and Thady Gosden's Palladium the 13-8 favourite after the late withdrawal of Ghostwriter. Buick took his time in the Group Two before knuckling down in the final three furlongs, when he switched out to find some room and kicked clear for a two-length win over Wimbledon Hawkeye for a famous success. Buick said: 'It means a lot and I suppose it tells me and everyone else that I've been doing this for quite a long time! 'It's something I wasn't really aware of until pretty recently and you never quite know when it's going to happen. 'There are some places to do it that aren't as glamorous as Newmarket's July meeting, no offence, so to do it here at my home track, for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin, makes it all the more special. 'It wasn't by design, you can't design these things, but I'm very happy it happened the way it did. 'I'm lucky to have been champion jockey and I've ridden some fantastic horses for some fantastic people. I had a great time with John Gosden and now with Charlie and Godolphin, I've always been in a very privileged position and I'm grateful for all the support I've had over the years. 'It goes without saying that my family are my biggest supporters, so thank you to them and all the owners and trainers and stable staff and the great horses along the way. 'Hopefully it can continue.' On future ambitions, he added: 'You're always looking forward and always looking for the next one. 'There's still loads I haven't done and races I haven't won, the Oaks being one.' Buick, 36, has been Appleby's principal rider since 2015 and has claimed four of the five British Classics, with the Oaks the only one missing. He has won the last two renewals of the 2000 Guineas with Notable Speech and Ruling Court, doubling up in the 1000 this year on Desert Flower. He has claimed the St Leger three times and the 2018 Derby on Masar. The only other jockeys still active to have ridden over 2,000 British winners are Joe Fanning, Jamie Spencer, Ryan Moore, Luke Morris and Jim Crowley, as well as Frankie Dettori, who is currently riding in America. Buick said: 'The one race that stands out is the Derby as we all know the Derby is special and it's the one race everyone wants to win.' Asked to pick out one ride from Buick that he had given to one of his horses that was the most memorable, Appleby not surprisingly said: 'Masar in the Derby. Just because of the whole occasion and what it meant. 'If you're asking when I felt he's made the difference between winning and losing I'd have to say some of the Breeders' Cup meetings, he's been deadly round there. 'We're very lucky to have him as part of our team and congratulations to him and all his family, it's a huge achievement, long may it continue.' Buick wasted little time in making it winner number 2,001 when steering Crimson Rose to victory in the following British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes. The Appleby-trained chestnut, who is by Invincible Spirit and out of the Group-winning mare Ideal Beauty, was a 7-2 chance and prevailed by a comfortable four lengths on the line. And it was three on the day for the Buick-Appleby combination with the impressive Opera Ballo (11-8 favourite) taking the Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.
