WILLIAM BUICK was mistaken for a child as an adult – but now he is a giant of racing with £45million in earnings.
Buick, 34, will be crowned champion jockey for the first time at Ascot’s season-ending Champions Day on Saturday.
Buick was mistaken for another jockey’s young son when he burst onto the racing scene
But now Britain’s best jockey, seen here with Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby celebrating another win, is a giant in the sport with mega earnings
"When you start out you want to win The Derby and you want to become Champion Jockey"
William Buick has now done both
A special achievement
pic.twitter.com/ccsNKwxQAv
— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) October 11, 2022
It is rich reward for the consummate professional, who has arguably the top job in racing as retained rider for Godolphin – the billionaire ruler of Dubai’s all-conquering stable.
But Buick’s close mate and best man at his wedding, fellow rider James Doyle, has revealed a brilliant story about the first time they met.
Doyle, who won the 1000 and 2000 Guineas earlier this year, recalled the first time he set eyes on Oslo-born Buick in the weighing room.
He said: “The first time I met Will – it’s funny, I actually said it in my best man’s speech at his wedding.
“It was at Wolverhampton in 2006. I remember walking into the weighing room and seeing this tiny little fella.
“I honestly wondered who he belonged to, like whose son was he?
“Little did I know at the time it was William Buick.”
Buick would have been 18 at the time – fast forward 16 years and the dad-of-two with more than 1,650 winners is ranked the best jockey in the world.
He is also a money-making machine for Godolphin and any other trainer he rides for.
This season alone in Britain, Buick, who weighs just 8st 7lb, has won £5,921,800.
With a strong book of rides on Champions Day – including former Derby hero Adayar in the Champion Stakes – you can expect him to smash the £6m mark.
Of course Buick doesn’t pocket all that cash himself, with the majority going to the owners and trainers.
But there is no doubt he enjoys a comfortable living – and his house even has a massive trophy room.
Being a jockey is a global job, though, and travelling to every corner of the world is something you sign up for on day one.
Buick’s wife Jane says she and their two children do have a lot of time on their own – but that the man of the house more than makes up for it when he’s back from his travels.
She said: “The pursuit of the title obviously massively impacts family life.
“The sport has to come first when you’re trying to chase a championship. You have to give it your all.
“Will has always been very ambitious, but family life… it is different, you are on your own a lot.
“But he always makes up for it when he is about and he is a really good father so we are lucky.”
That’s what you call winning on and off the track.
