'I'll go for it again' - Buick eyeing 2023 jockeys' title despite Murphy return

A week ahead of his coronation as champion Flat jockey at Ascot next Saturday, William Buick is already planning to retain his title even with the prospect of his former rival Oisin Murphy returning to the fray in 2023.

Buick, 34, has by far the biggest lead going into the final week of the jockeys' title race since the rules were changed in 2015, and after riding a treble on Friday and Saturday at Newmarket he sits 66 winners clear of nearest pursuer Hollie Doyle and four ahead of his previous best haul of 152 winners.

The Godolphin-retained rider is also looking forward to going out with a bang when he partners Adayar, Charlie Appleby's highest-rated horse, against the mighty Baaeed in the Qipco Champion Stakes.

Buick lost out by two winners on the final day of the competition a year ago, but there is no doubt about the result this time around.

He said: "Being champion jockey is personally something I had always wanted to achieve. I think I've been in front the whole way, but not by such a wide margin to begin with. It feels great. It's a long process, but you keep you're head down and keep busy. It's something I've tried to do for the past few years and it's nice to finally do it.

"It was disappointing to miss out last year. I was at Haydock the Friday before Ascot and I knew I needed a good day and I didn't – I had one winner. I knew then I was relying on riding a double or a treble on Champions Day, which was not going to happen. I had plenty of support from Godolphin and many others, and plenty of reason to go out and do it this year."

The title charge began on April 30 at Newmarket, the first day that counted towards the championship. Buick said: "My agent Tony Hind said we were not going to mess around and that we'd go flat out early and see where it takes us.

"There was a long period in the middle of the season when I was working seven days a week, but it's all about routine and dedication. It is hard work, but fortunately I've been riding winners and some nice horses which helps the motivational side massively."

Buick has already been celebrating this week after becoming a father for the second time on Monday when Oscar Roderick Buick was born, and the new-born could make an appearance at Ascot next Saturday when Buick is hopeful of giving Baaeed something to think about in the Champion Stakes.

Adayar (right): 'I respect Adayar very much,' says William HaggasCredit: Edward Whitaker

Buick, who already has three-year-old son Thomas with wife Jane, added: "Oscar was born on Monday and hopefully he can make an appearance at Ascot. Family is what is it is all about and I was changing nappies last night, which keeps you grounded."

Looking ahead to Ascot, he said: "Getting Adayar back for the Champion Stakes is massive. It will be a huge test, but he is probably as exciting a horse as I've ridden all year. It was a perfect comeback run at Doncaster. He enjoyed himself and did everything right.

"It's a tough task, but he's a Derby and King George winner. He's probably the best horse Baaeed has had to beat, so we'll wait until the fields are out and make a plan."

Asked if he thought the 2023 jockeys' title would be harder to win when Murphy returns from a 14-month ban for various offences, Buick said: "Will it? We'll see. I'm aware of everything that was said and written about what happened last year, but it's not for me to say – it's up to the people who regulate the rules.

"I never changed my mindset. It was disappointing to miss out last year, but that motivated me even more for this year and it's certainly something I enjoy and all being well I'll go for it again next year."

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