High drama in Epsom opener as William Buick struck in head by rival horse

There was a dramatic start to Derby day when "a very bad mistake" meant William Buick's horse ran without him after a rival runner in the next stall struck him in the head.

The championship-chasing rider, who bids for a second Derby triumph on Nations Pride, was on board Blue Trail in the 1m2f handicap that kicked off the afternoon.

He was hit on the head when Approachability reared up in the next door stall and Buick seemed still to be reeling from that blow when the starter let the field go.

Blue Trail went with the others when the gates opened, without his jockey, who was left in the stalls.

The riderless horse, who was later declared a non-runner, also had an influence on the finish of the race as he seemed to interfere in the closing stages with runner-up Grenoble, who just failed to catch the winner Swilcan Bridge.

William Buick spoke to Racing TV presenter Lydia Hislop, who said: "He said that he was hit on the top of the head by the horse in the adjacent stall.

"He just needed 30 seconds to collect himself. He said that to the starter and he said that other jockeys next to him had said that to the starter. He described it as 'very dangerous' because he was half on, half off the horse. And he said it was 'a very bad mistake'."

Buick was assessed by the doctors and cleared to take his remaining rides on the day.

Relieved trainer Charlie Appleby said: "He's okay and thankfully he had that hat on. The horse's head just caught him on the front.

"He said for a couple of seconds he was catching his breath but he's okay, which is the main thing."

The stewards inquired into the incident and interviewed the starters.

Having heard their evidence, they accepted that Approachability had thrown its head to the left, hitting the head of Buick, resulting in him becoming temporarily incapacitated and distributing his weight onto the left side of the starting stalls running board and consequently not being fully mounted when the start was effected.

This caused Blue Trail to leave the starting stalls riderless and as such he was deemed to be a non-runner and therefore withdrawn.

Tom Marquand felt the loose horse prevented Grenoble winning and the jockey said: "It’s frustrating for us today as the loose horse has cost us.

"I saw the replay and it’s unfortunate for Will, but thankfully he’s okay and his horse is okay which is what matters.

"We have to be happy with how we ran as he was a 25-1 shot, but you can't help but feel a little sick as it’s cost us a winner. Hopefully there'll be other days for him."

On-course bookmaker Barry Johnson said: "The rule 4 on Blue Trail cost us over a grand. Fortunately, we hadn't paid out any winnings before the result of the inquiry was announced so we were lucky on that front.

"Our worst losers in the race were Mr Big Stuff and Box To Box so it was good to get those beaten."

How it happened

Approachability (left) hits jockey William Buick in the head in the stallsCredit: Itv

William Buick is left reeling from the blowCredit: Itv

William Buick is left in the stalls when his mount Blue Trail goes with the field when the gates openCredit: Itv

The loose Blue Trail led the field thoroughout the 1m2f handicapCredit: Racing TV

The riderless Blue Trail hinders the fast-finishing Grenoble, whose rider Tom Marquand felt cost him the raceCredit: Racing TV

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