William Buick made the flight from Chicago worthwhile when he partnered Godolphin’s Ribchester to a stunning first place in the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville in France on Sunday.
Buick had ridden Dubai World Cup Carnival star Tryster to eighth place in the Arlington Million the day before and had flown to France to renew his acquaintance with the son of Ifraaj in the Group 1 contest staged over 1600-metres.
Buick had ridden Ribchester to third place in the English 2000 Guineas in May and then to victory in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, but had to miss out due to a ban when The Gurkha and Galileo Gold narrowly denied the Richard Fahey-trained colt, ridden by James Doyle, in the Sussex Stakes last month.
“It’s a great thrill to win one of the most prestigious races in France and it shows that he might have been unlucky in the Sussex, when I didn’t ride him,” Buick said.
Revenge this time was sweet, too, as Galileo Gold faded markedly having taken a fierce hold for Frankie Dettori when contesting the lead with Qatar Racing’s Arod in the early stages.
Buick had Ribchester settled just off the pace in the 11-runner field behind Arod, while Dubai World Cup flop Vadamos, who had stumbled on leaving the stalls, was well placed on the inside by Vincent Cheminaud.
With 600 metres left to run Buick organised Ribchester and persuaded him to cruise up alongside Arod and then put the race to bed. Vadamos did not quite have the same turn of foot as his rival and was a length and a half adrift at the line with Ervedya in third
“I was aware that I was drawn away from the likes of Galileo Gold and Vadamos, but my horse was always happy sitting close to the pace and quickened up nicely when I asked him.
“We were going away at the finish.
“He is one of the best milers I’ve ridden, for sure.”
The Prix Jacques Le Marois is a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita in November but Ribchester is also now the widely-regarded favourite for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at British Champions Day at Ascot in October. The latter race is Fahey’s preference.
“It’s probably the biggest win of my career and I’m very pleased,” the trainer said.
“It looked like he was going to win easily, but he had to battle a bit, and that’s good as it will help him to mature.
“He will probably go to Ascot now for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
“I’ll have to speak to John (Ferguson, Godolphin CEO and racing manager), but I don’t think the Breeders’ Cup is on the agenda at present.”
The win was a marked contrast to the run from Charlie Appleby’s Tryster the night before, who trailed in almost four lengths behind Arlington Million winner Mondialiste.
Tryster started sluggishly from his wide draw in gate 12 and was almost last in the Grade 1 contest staged over 2000 metres.
At the halfway point Buick moved Tryster up slowly so when they swung in to the stretch the Godolphin gelding was primed to strike from a good position.
All Tryster needed to do was replicate the searing turn of foot that won him two races at Meydan during the winter and resulted in a third-placed finish in the Dubai Turf, but he simply plugged on and was swallowed up.
“The horse was drawn very wide but he travelled well during the race,” he said. “I was behind the winner turning in, going as well as the winner, but we just didn’t have the same kick as we usually do.”
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
