William Buick

In deeper than when beating up lesser lights on home soil, Godolphin's TDN Rising Star Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}--Promising Run, by Hard Spun) proved that she had what it takes to continue her winning sequence in Doncaster's G2 Betfred May Hill Stakes on Thursday. Untroubled in two starts on Newmarket's July Course, the Charlie Appleby-trained even-money favourite followed the early pace with William Buick content to play the waiting game. Staying on strongly to take control passing the furlong pole, the daughter of the four-time group 2...

There is every chance that Sunday's G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange was a hot affair and so all credit goes to Godolphin's Ombudsman (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}--Syndicate {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) for extending his unbeaten sequence in ParisLongchamp's 10-furlong test. Impressive on good ground in the Listed Prix Nureyev at Deauville last month, the 3-5 favourite raced in the box seat behind the leader First Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and was gifted a clear run up the rail as that G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up drifted...

Godolphin's €1.25-million Arqana August graduate Silver Peak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}--Pretty Spirit {GB}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) backed up a debut fourth at Kempton last month to shed maiden status in Thursday's Watch On Racing TV EBF Novice Stakes at Haydock. The eventual winner trailed all four rivals through halfway in the one-mile contest. Coaxed closer in the straight, the 11-8 favourite quickened to the front approaching the furlong pole and was pushed out to assert by an ultimately comfortable two lengths from Sir Dinadan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Silver Peak, a...

There was no glass slipper, but the royal blue silks of Godolphin floated home the fairest of winners all the same as Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) claimed the second leg of the Turf Triple in the GII Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes. With only one blemish on her record, Cinderella's Dream has carried said silks (dyed in a color also known--rather appropriately--as 'queen blue' or 'imperial blue') to six victories. She was a neck winner on unveiling last May at Lingfield and then steadily worked her way through the ranks...

The once-beaten Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) will look to give Godolphin a third winner in the five-year history of the GII Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes as she bids to add to her latest success in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational over the same mile-and-three-sixteenths journey July 6. The homebred ran the table in the first four starts of her career, a pair of victories at two followed by two more this season at Meydan, including a jaw-dropping score in the Listed Jumeirah 1000 Guineas Mar. 2 that defies any...

Putting his G1 St James's Palace Stakes flop firmly behind him, Godolphin's Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}--Swift Rose {Ire}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) rattled home in style to dominate Wednesday's G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, a "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. On the limit in William Buick's hands following the pace set by Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the Charlie Appleby-trained G1 2,000 Guineas hero was able to relax once placed in a pocket behind that 11-10 favourite and Sonny Liston (Ire) (Lawman {Fr})....

Godolphin's €260,000 Arqana August graduate Aomori City (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}--Setsuko {Fr}, by Shamardal), who came back off a June 13 debut triumph at Nottingham with a third-place finish in Newmarket's July 11 G2 July Stakes, stepped forward in impressive fashion to secure a stakes breakthrough in Tuesday's G2 HKJC World Pool Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. The 2-1 favourite was slick from the gates and occupied a forward position along the rail in third through halfway. Biding his time in the straight, he was the last of seven to...

Godolphin newcomer Ruling Court (Justify--Inchargeofme {GB}, by High Chaparral {Ire}) caused a stir when knocked down for a sale-topping €2.3-million at Arqana's Breeze-up sale in May and made another huge splash with an imperious performance to earn a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette in Thursday's Martin Densham & Peter Deal Memorial British EBF Maiden Stakes at Sandown. The seven-furlong contest has earned its status as an important staging post with recent winners including Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), Nostrum (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Kameko (Kitten's Joy). Ruling Court becomes the ninth...

Peter Harris's Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}--Swirral Edge {GB}, by Hellvelyn {GB}) had been coming of age so far this season and his big moment duly came in Saturday's G1 My Pension Expert July Cup at Newmarket. Successful in the G2 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes and third in Royal Ascot's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on his last two starts, the 11-1 shot was held up early by William Buick with the pace strong up front. Staying on powerfully down the wing to wear down the QEII...

It was a case of business as usual at Newmarket on Saturday with Charlie Appleby saddling his fifth G2 Superlative Stakes winner in TDN Rising Star Ancient Truth (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}--Beyond Reason {Ire}, by Australia {GB}). Having won on debut over six furlongs on the Rowley Mile in May and over this seven-furlong trip and course last month, the 4-6 favourite faced a depleted field with three non-runners and had to wait behind rivals early as William Buick anchored him under cover. Picking up impressively to take control approaching the...

Newmarket's G1 July Cup card began in style when Godolphin's hitherto unraced Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}--Promising Run, by Hard Spun) powered away from nine rivals to earn a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette in Saturday's £21,000 Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes over seven furlongs. The homebred daughter of four-time Group 2 victrix Promising Run (Hard Spun) was a touch hesitant at the break and chased the leaders in fourth through the initial fractions. Nudged along soon after passing halfway, the 5-2 second favourite bounded to the fore...

Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' and G1 Futurity Trophy hero Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}--Golden Valentine {Fr}, by Dalakhani {Ire}) had yet to fire on all cylinders this year and bounced back from an eighth in last month's G1 Derby to regain the winning thread in Thursday's G3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. The 6-4 favourite went forward to assume control after the initial strides of this 13-furlong test. Holding sway thereafter, he was asked to stretch with three furlongs remaining and kept finding for pressure inside the final quarter-mile to comfortably...