Godolphin bring in Buick for Sydney’s autumn carnival
ENGLISH flat jockey William Buick is the chosen one for Godolphin as the Sydney autumn carnival edges ever closer.
The Norwegian-born Buick – who has won multiple group one titles in the saddle – replaces the injured James Doyle, who was unable to overcome a number of injuries he incurred after a bad fall at the beginning of February.
It’s understood Godolphin sought to obtain a visa for Buick as early as last week after a doctor in Dubai recommended Doyle see a surgeon to correct an ongoing knee issue.
Doyle is hopeful he will be able to ride again prior to day one of The Championships on April 1.
“It’s a big disappointment to not be riding at the Golden Slipper meeting, but the stable has several good prospects later in the autumn which I am aiming to be back for,” Doyle said.
“Unfortunately, the knee injury flared up and I’ll be seeing a specialist in Sydney this week.”
The benefit for the stable is that they have the best jockeys in the world at their disposal.
Godolphin’s Australian head trainer John O’Shea said Buick has the ability to step straight into the role and steer winners in the famous blue silks.
“It isn’t clear when James Doyle will be back, so we have the advantage of having William retained at Godolphin as well and have called on him. He is a world-class jockey and as we have seen these riders can adjust very quickly when they fly in for these meetings,” O’Shea said.
“We saw it with James [Doyle] that these jockeys are the best in the world for a reason.”
The Godolphin team still harbours hope that Doyle will be ready for The Championships but realise the star faces an uphill battle to be ready.
O’Shea said bring Buick over early gives the jockey the perfect opportunity to get accustomed to the horses if his services are required.
“It is an advantage to know William can come out here and he will able to get on a few of these horses in the lead-up to Golden Slipper day,” O’Shea said.
“He will have the first choice on our rides on Slipper day, if Doyle is not available. He will ride either Veranillo or Trekking in the Golden Slipper, Hauraki in the George Ryder Stakes and Hartnell in the Ranvet Stakes.
“It is such an important day for us and we have some really good group 1 chances. It’s good to have the confidence that we will have William on them.
“We will still be using other jockeys like Brenton Avdulla, who has been doing a good job for us.”
Buick, who has earned three individual jockey awards in England for his prowess in the saddle brings a wealth of class and experience to Australia.
The 28-year-old told the Godolphin website that he is looking forward to coming to Australia to showcase his skills in Sydney.
“It is one of the great privileges that goes with the job I have at Godolphin,” Buick told the Godolphin website.
“I feel sorry for James (Doyle), who is still recovering from his fall, but I will be doing my best to ride winners while I am there.
“I am relying entirely on John O’Shea to pick the horses I ride, and where I will ride them.”