Latest news with #Newmarket
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'Racing is irrelevant when you can make a difference for kids': William Buick on the inspiration behind his bid for a clean sweep of the first four classics
History is creeping into view for William Buick but the potential for galloping through the record books will not form part of this discussion. 'Way too soon to think about,' Buick says with a smile that demands fate is not tempted. This week, he will partner Desert Flower and Ruling Court — the Godolphin-owned horses he rode to thunderous wins in the 1000 and 2000 Guineas — in the Betfred Oaks and Derby respectively. No rider has managed to collect the first four British Classics in the same season and you have to go back to 1949 to find the last time the same filly and colt (Musidora and Nimbus) went on from success at Newmarket and followed up on Epsom's helter-skelter Downs. We could easily spend time talking about champions but, today, Buick is at home with his wife, Jane, and their young sons, Thomas and Oscar, and he is busy being Dad. Thomas, who is six, needs his socks and Oscar is nibbling with uncertainty at the lettuce he has just helped his mum, Jane, unearth. 'I've been in this situation before, when you have two live ones for Epsom,' says. 'I'm not really someone who gets too wound up and, if I feel myself getting that way, I'll try to get myself back quickly, though Jane might tell you differently! What distracts me? Thomas and Oscar!' Buick has become accustomed to scaling peaks. He is living a dream, emulating the exploits of his heroes, Frankie Dettori, Mick Kinane and Olivier Peslier, in contesting the biggest events — just as he hoped he would when riding his pony as a boy growing up in Norway. Of course, success at Epsom would be out of this world but, in some respects, he has had his most satisfying win of the season. At Haydock last Saturday, this Liverpool fan and willing partner Symbol Of Honour prevailed in a photo-finish that meant the world. Parenthood enables you to see life in a different way and he fully understands the challenges that are presented. Thomas is autistic, and to raise awareness of the condition, Buick, 36, and his wife became ambassadors for Autism In Racing two years ago; they take their responsibilities seriously. 'Horses are therapeutic,' says Buick, who has twice been Champion Jockey. 'We've seen it with Thomas. He's actually quite a competent rider now. He doesn't always hold his reins but he's got a very good seat and he'll be able to ride by himself one day. We're very fortunate.' The impact a horse can have on a child, though, was really brought home by Symbol Of Honour. Before he was due to contest the Sandy Lane Stakes, Daryl Jacob, the former jump jockey, had ventured into the weighing room to see if he could find anyone to help with a request. Jacob was accompanied by three children from the Owen McVeigh Foundation, a charity which provides life memories for youngsters living with cancer and their families. Buick did not hesitate to step forward and the whole experience was profound. 'It was a beautiful moment to be a part of,' says Buick. 'Daryl asked me if I would go and see these kids, they had leukaemia. I said, 'Of course I will'. I was trying to scramble a few things together to give them, goggles and what have you. 'I looked at them and I nearly broke down. I really had to work hard to compose myself. It was just before the Sandy Lane and the joy on their faces was incredible. 'They saw the horses, they saw the jockeys in their colours and the joy it gave them — and their parents — was amazing. Everything else became irrelevant. It really brings reality to everything. I remember going down to the start and I was thinking to myself, 'Please, just win'. I just wanted them all to be on the podium with me. Bless him, Symbol Of Honour put in a good shift and won.' Buick pauses for a moment. This part of the conversation had materialised organically but it reveals an unseen side. Yes, you might see him on a racecourse flashing past in those famous royal blue silks but this is the true version of him. 'Everyone at Godolphin — Charlie Appleby (trainer), Sheik Mohammed (founder) — they love to be part of it when children are involved,' says Buick. 'I knew it wouldn't be an issue for them to collect the trophy. We were in the one spot and I saw the kids smiling. It was incredible. 'If you think you can make a difference (in life), you have to grasp it with both hands — and you are in a fortunate position if someone asks you to do it. Do it with integrity, do it with a good heart. Racing is full of people like that. When it comes to making a difference, racing really does come to the fore.' Coming to the fore is something he will strive to do at Epsom but, really, he has been doing that since he partnered his first winner, Bank On Benny, at Salisbury on September 27, 2006; his father, Walter, was the Champion Scandinavian Jockey eight times and his mother, Maria, was a dressage rider. Racing was always going to be his vocation but it is how he has progressed. After an apprenticeship with Andrew Balding, he was appointed first rider to John Gosden in 2010, aged 21, before joining Godolphin 2015, the equivalent of moving from Liverpool to Real Madrid. Pressure has been omnipresent all through his career but he has carried it comfortably, switching off by spending hours in his gym or immersing himself in box sets — he's currently enjoying MobLand after raving about Eddie Redmayne in The Day Of The Jackal. 'One of the best I've seen to be honest,' he says. 'He travels the world (as a hitman) but it's a bit more stressful than being a jockey!' There will, inevitably, be stress at Epsom this week as these are the two races that matter more than anything during the summer. Buick won the Derby in 2018 on Masar and the glint in his eye when he muses about Ruling Court's potential indicates the wonderful possibilities. 'These are two very good horses and they sum up what racing is all about,' he says. 'We all want the horse to be the next champion. We are optimists, every single one of us in this industry. We start with the same dream and it comes from one thing: the love of the horse.' William Buick is a Jockey Club Ambassador and represented by H Talent Management. Visit
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stanley Cup final viewing parties planned in Newmarket for hometown hero Connor McDavid
McDavid Mania is returning to Newmarket. After being featured on Hockey Night in Canada last year, the town north of Toronto is asking its community members to cheer louder than ever for hometown hockey hero Connor McDavid as he returns to the Stanley Cup final with his Edmonton Oilers. To mark the occasion, Newmarket Mayor John Taylor will temporarily rename Riverwalk Commons to Connor McDavid Square for the duration of the playoffs. Folks are invited to join the town at community viewing parties for each Cup final game between the Oilers and Florida Panthers as the teams renew rivalries for the second straight final (the Panthers are defending champions.) Residents and hockey fans are encouraged to wear or display orange and blue during these viewing parties. 'The Newmarket community is ready to cheer on hometown hockey hero Connor McDavid again in his quest for the Cup,' Taylor said in a news release. 'Connor McDavid has always been a part of the Newmarket community and an amazing ambassador for our town. Newmarket residents are extremely proud of Connor McDavid.' SIMMONS: Beware of 'The Stare' of Connor McDavid SIMMONS: Team Canada hero Connor McDavid looking to find his game with struggling Oilers Viewing parties will happen at the Riverwalk Commons at 200 Doug Duncan Dr. for each game at 8 p.m., starting on Wednesday through to Game 7. A viewing party that night would happen at the Magna Centre south parking lot at 800 Mulock Dr. McDavid serves as the Oilers captain. He grew up playing competitively with the York Simcoe Express in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, followed by the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League.
National Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- National Post
Stanley Cup final viewing parties planned in Newmarket for hometown hero Connor McDavid
Article content Article content After being featured on Hockey Night in Canada last year, the town north of Toronto is asking its community members to cheer louder than ever for hometown hockey hero Connor McDavid as he returns to the Stanley Cup final with his Edmonton Oilers. Article content To mark the occasion, Newmarket Mayor John Taylor will temporarily rename Riverwalk Commons to Connor McDavid Square for the duration of the playoffs. Article content Article content Folks are invited to join the town at community viewing parties for each Cup final game between the Oilers and Florida Panthers as the teams renew rivalries for the second straight final (the Panthers are defending champions.) Article content Residents and hockey fans are encouraged to wear or display orange and blue during these viewing parties. Article content 'The Newmarket community is ready to cheer on hometown hockey hero Connor McDavid again in his quest for the Cup,' Taylor said in a news release. 'Connor McDavid has always been a part of the Newmarket community and an amazing ambassador for our town. Newmarket residents are extremely proud of Connor McDavid.' Article content Viewing parties will happen at the Riverwalk Commons at 200 Doug Duncan Dr. for each game at 8 p.m., starting on Wednesday through to Game 7. A viewing party that night would happen at the Magna Centre south parking lot at 800 Mulock Dr. Article content McDavid serves as the Oilers captain. He grew up playing competitively with the York Simcoe Express in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, followed by the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. Article content
CTV News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Connor McDavid Square' returns to superstar's hometown for SCF
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) is presented with the championship trophy after winning Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs against the Dallas Stars, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) A Stanley Cup Final rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers means the Town of Newmarket will return to the spotlight as Connor McDavid's hometown. The town announced on Friday that they will once again rename Riverwalk Commons to 'Connor McDavid Square' for the duration of the series and that it will again be the site for watch parties. McDavid, Oilers captain, was raised in Newmarket and played competitively for the York Simcoe Express of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association before becoming the hockey icon that he is today. 'The Newmarket community is ready to cheer on hometown hockey hero Connor McDavid again in his quest for the Cup,' said John Taylor, Newmarket mayor, in a news release. 'Connor McDavid has always been a part of the Newmarket community and an amazing ambassador for our Town. Newmarket residents are extremely proud of Connor McDavid. Together let's cheer for Connor and our Canadian Oilers. Go Connor Go!' The town was featured on a national scale as they proudly cheered for McDavid and the Oilers during last year's Stanley Cup Final, which the Panthers won in seven games. Despite the defeat, the Oilers captain was honoured as the most valuable player of the playoffs, becoming the first Conn Smythe Trophy winner on a losing team since 2003. Entering this year's final, McDavid leads the playoffs in scoring with 26 points. He and the Oilers are once again vying to be the first Canadian team to win a Stanley Cup since the 1993 Montreal Canadiens. McDavid also scored the 'Golden Goal' for Canada at February's 4 Nations Face-Off. The Town of Newmarket welcomes residents to attend their watch parties wearing blue and orange, as they will be handing out free team-coloured towels to fans who come dressed in Oilers gear. Admission to the watch parties is free and the first four (six if necessary) are scheduled to take place at Connor McDavid Square/Riverwalk Commons, beginning with Wednesday evening's Game 1. Should the series get extended to seven games, the seventh watch party would be scheduled at the Magna Centre. The town says the events are weather dependent and will provide updates if there are any changes.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Speed cameras show promising early results in school zones, town reports
Early results from the Town of Newmarket's Community Safety Camera Program show driver's are hitting the brakes, with a notable reduction in speeding near schools, with officials hopeful the trend continues to accelerate. The initiative launched in 2024 and uses automated speed enforcement cameras in community safety zones around schools. The Town says the goal is to make roads safer by discouraging speeding, especially where children are likely to be walking. Initial data collected since the cameras went live shows average speeds have dropped from 47 km/h to 37 km/h in areas where the posted speed limit is 40 km/h — a 23 per cent reduction. The Town also reports the number of vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit has dropped by 73 per cent compared to data collected before the cameras were installed. 'I am happy to see that speeding has decreased in Newmarket, thanks to the Community Safety Camera Program,' said Mayor John Taylor. 'Preliminary data has shown early success in improving driver behaviour and enhancing road safety. Newmarket streets are now even safer with the use of automated speed cameras, coupled with the Town's other traffic management measures.' In the program's early stages, the Town issued over 2,500 warning letters in September 2024, giving drivers time to adjust their habits before fines were imposed. Since October 2024, roughly 13,709 tickets have been issued. The highest recorded speed so far? A startling 113 km/h — nearly three times the speed limit — in a 40 km/h school zone. Town officials caution that the data reflects fall and winter driving, when snowy and icy roads tend to make drivers more cautious. As such, these early numbers might not capture the full picture. A more comprehensive report is expected to go before council in 2026. There are currently 14 pole-mounted speed cameras set up in school zones across all seven wards in Newmarket. Locations include Stonehaven Avenue, Gorham Street, Wayne Drive, Longford Drive, Queen Street, Savage Road, and Woodspring Avenue, among others. Tickets arrive by regular mail within 30 days of the offence. While the penalties involve fines, no demerit points are added to a driver's record. The Town reminds residents that it does not request payment by phone, email, or text message — only by letter mail. 'As always, our goal is not to ticket drivers. We want everyone to understand the dangers of speeding, especially near schools where children are travelling. Please keep Newmarket streets safe and do not speed,' the mayor added. York Region runs a separate Automated Speed Enforcement Program. The Town of Newmarket's system operates independently. Town officials remain optimistic that the safety improvements will continue as the program matures. In the meantime, they urge motorists to stay alert behind the wheel, especially in areas where children are on the move.
