Buick Crowned Champion Jockey, As Godolphin And De La Sayette Also Receive Season-Ending Honours

Jockey William Buick, Godolphin and apprentice jockey Benoit de la Sayette were crowned Champion Jockey, Champion Owner and Champion Apprentice Jockey, respectively on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday. Former champion jockey Willie Carson, who along with the late Sir Henry Cecil was inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall Of Fame, presented both jockey trophies.

Buick, a three-time runner-up (2015, '21 and '21), secured 157 winners, 67 clear of Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand, his nearest pursuers for the title. A former champion apprentice, a title he shared with David Probert in 2008, the 34-year-old has been the retained rider for Godolphin since 2015.

Buick said, “18-year-old me would say what's taken you so long. It is great and personally it's something I've really wanted to achieve for quite a long time and obviously it's taken me a few years, but it's fantastic.

“My father was an eight-time Champion Jockey in Scandinavia so it's great to be able to achieve it and I feel I've achieved it in the way that I would like to do it–to balance it with the big races, the big meetings, my main employer Godolphin, making sure that's at the forefront of my focus.

“It's very satisfying and, when every jockey starts out, that's what you want to achieve–you want to win the Derby and you want to become Champion Jockey.”

He added, “You can never expect it to go as it has. You can only hope and work towards it, but you can never expect it, so it's great and there's a lot of people involved in it all.

“It's hard work, it's every day and every race and everything that comes with it, but I've loved every minute of it. When it's going well and you're riding winners, riding nice horses, you're at the big meetings, when it goes like that it's great, there is no

This was Godolphin's 15th owner title, and their runners banked over £6 million. Some of the highlights were the late Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) running one-two in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas, with the latter also taking the Irish equivalent later that spring. Also, the leading owner at Royal Ascot, the royal blue was carried to victory in five races at that iconic meeting, among them Coroebus's score in the G1 St James's Palace S. and Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) landing the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. The operation also enjoyed success with its juveniles, led by G2 Gimcrack S. hero Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and other group wins by Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Flying Honours (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Hugh Anderson, Managing Director of Godolphin (UK and Dubai), said, “Godolphin is immensely proud to receive the Champion Owner trophy at Ascot on such a prestigious day for our sport.

“It has been another season of great excitement with numerous wins at the highest level and I must pay tribute in particular to Charlie Appleby and the team at Moulton Paddocks who have led the charge. Saeed bin Suroor and John and Thady Gosden have also made a big contribution to a season that has showcased our homebreds and our stallions.

“Thank you to every single Godolphin employee, all of whom have played their part. Our greatest thanks must of course go to our principal, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, for his endless loyalty, enthusiasm and passion for the Thoroughbred.

“Finally, it is a particular thrill to collect this trophy alongside William Buick. He is at the very sharp end of Team Godolphin and all of us congratulate him on his outstanding horsemanship, determination, bravery and skill. He is a Champion Jockey for a Champion Owner, and we could not be more delighted to end the UK season on such a high note.”

Receiving the Champion Apprentice title was Benoit de la Sayette, who fought off a determined Harry Davies in the closing weeks of the Flat season. The first apprentice jockey to be added to John Gosden's books for 29 years in 2020, he rode his first winner that December. Formerly a pony racing graduate, he was banned for six months after testing positive for cocaine, but his career rebounded in 2022.

De La Sayette said, “I am thrilled to win the Champion Apprentice title. It has felt like such an amazing season, and I've really enjoyed the battle with Harry [Davies]. I wish him all the very best for the future and hope we're riding against each other for many years to come.

“There have been plenty of highlights, starting with Vafortino (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) winning the Victoria Cup at Ascot in May. I was also lucky enough to ride a winner at the July Festival [Adjuvant (Ire) (New Bay {GB})] and have victories at Glorious Goodwood. At the start of this month, I rode my first-ever three-timer and that was another day I'll never forget.

“None of those moments–or the other winners I've had– would've been possible without the fantastic support I've received from so many owners and trainers throughout the year. I'm especially grateful to John and Thady Gosden, as well as the whole Clarehaven team. I have learnt so much from the amazing team there.

“The input and advice from my agent Paul Clarke has been so valuable as well. He has worked tirelessly to get me opportunities. I'd also like to thank the PJA [Professional Jockeys' Association] for all their ongoing support.

“Last but not least is my family. I want to say a big thank-you to all of them, especially my mum and dad for everything they do…this one's for them.”

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Letter to the Editor: Reminiscing about Lester Piggott

Think of Robin Hood, or the Scarlet Pimpernel. Or even Jesse James. There was a little bit of the Great Outlaw in Lester Piggott: enigmatic, often in trouble, and adored by the people in the street.

Lester defied the rules of charisma: very soft voice, never very friendly, always composed, always keeping to himself in public. Ah, but that face, “like a well-kept grave,” as somebody said. The intensity of his facial expression was Mount Rushmore-ready–a la Clint Eastwood.

When he returned to riding in 1990 (post High Point) and won a race at the Rowley Mile on a grey and mournful day riding a long-shot trained by Julie Cecil, journalist Brough Scott said that it was as if a specter had appeared out of nowhere near the finish line–coming from behind and coming from the past. Lester was capable of tempting the best British racing scribes into lyrical overstatements, go figure.

I was certainly one of those adoring people in the street. And one of my own treasured little stories about Lester Piggott is this. One sunny day following a rainstorm, I was sitting at a restaurant table at Capannelle Racecourse with an entourage of jockeys and trainers. The Italian owner of the horse Lester was soon to ride came by and insisted for his two jockeys (the other was Alan Munro) to cut the lunch short and walk the course. The champion was not happy with the request, and a refusal seemed to be on the cards. And then the housewives' favourite pointed to me and said: “I will go, but only if Andrea comes as well.” I probably blushed at the mere and unexpected mention of my name. It was as if Michael Jordan and Bjorn Borg had asked me: “Hey, what are we doing tonight?” Yes, I was young and starstruck, but Lester was more of a star, and also more of a legend: he was a folk hero, for those who were around at the time. And we did go and walk the course.

With great respect and admiration.

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UK National Hunt Champions Crowned At Sandown

The 2021/22 UK Jumps Champions were crowned during the bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown Park on Saturday.

Brian Hughes, who became only the fourth NH jockey to ride a double century of winners in a season, was named the UK Champion Jumps Jockey for a second time. His win total sits at 204, 99 ahead of Sam Twiston-Davies in second.

Hughes, who won the title in 2019/20 said, “It is something at the start of the season I set out to try and do and it is great that it has come. I've never thought it was signed and sealed and I never wanted to let any sort of complacency set in. I just wanted to keep my head down and keep doing what I have done all season, so I haven't ever accepted that it was happening until it did.”

The Champion Conditional Jockey was Kevin Brogan. Trainer Paul Nicholls and owner JP McManus were once again awarded year-end titles by earnings-their 13th and 15th, respectively.

“It's been tougher [to win the big races] this year but every year is tough. In recent years I've either been neck and neck with Willie [Mullins] or Nicky, but this year it's a bit more relaxed and I can enjoy the day,” said Nicholls.

“I knew we were going to be quiet at Cheltenham but we had a good Aintree with some nice winners there and the horses are flying again now.

“I might have turned 60 recently, but there are absolutely no thoughts from me about retiring. I love what I'm doing and as long as I'm fit and healthy, I've no plans to cut back–I love it.”

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Oisin Murphy Hearing Set For Tuesday

Oisin Murphy, the three-time champion jockey in Britain, will face the independent disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on Tuesday, Feb. 22 for five alleged rule breaches.

Members of the panel will consider whether Murphy misled the BHA regarding his travel destination in order to circumvent Covid rules and failed to comply with those restrictions. Further charges relate to two separate incidents, on May 5, 2021 and Oct. 8, 2021, when the jockey failed breath tests for alcohol at Chester and Newmarket racecourses respectively. The hearing will also determine whether Murphy has brought racing into disrepute by breaching the rule pertaining to “acting in a manner which is prejudicial to the proper integrity, conduct and good reputation of the sport”.

Murphy was crowned champion for the third time in October following a closely-fought battle with William Buick which was only decided on the final day of the jockeys' championship on QIPCO British Champions Day. He has not been seen in action this year having voluntarily relinquished his licence in December 2021. At that time the BHA took the unusual step of releasing a statement on the jockey's behalf within its own press release announcing the charges levelled against him.

Murphy stated on Dec. 16 last year, “On returning from abroad last September in 2020 I failed to follow the Covid protocol set out by the BHA. In breaking these rules, and attempting to mislead the BHA, I've let my governing body down, along with trainers, owners, staff, sponsors and family for which I wish to apologise.

“In addition to this there have been two racecourse incidents linked to alcohol during 2021.  It became obvious to me and to everyone else that I needed to seek serious help. In recognition of this I have relinquished my licence and will now focus on my rehabilitation. I am grateful to the BHA for agreeing to postpone the disciplinary hearing until I have been able to take these steps.

“Whether I deserve it or not, many kind people have stood by me and I really appreciate their support . I'm deeply embarrassed and regret my actions.”

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