Wiliam Buick was in dreamland after Dar Re Mi gave him the biggest success of his career with victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, from Letcombe Regis, near Wantage, cemented his new partnership as stable jockey with Newmarket trainer John Gosden in stunning fashion by capturing the £1.8m first prize on the five-year-old mare.
Buick, pictured after his win, struck the front in the final furlong of the mile and a half contest on 9-1 shot Dar Re Mi, before holding off Japanese challenger Buena Vista by three-quarters of a length with Spanish Moon a head back in third.
Before being led back in on his mount by the mare’s owner, Lady Lloyd Webber, Buick said: “It is just amazing – unbelievable. I can’t really believe it.
“She gave me so much confidence all the way. The only worry was getting across from stall 14, but she overcame that.”
And after dismounting, he added: “It means everything to me. This is what it is all about. I am very lucky to be where I am today and I just hope it progresses from here.”
Youmzain, the star of Mick Channon’s West Ilsley stables, finished eighth after suffering early interference.
The former England footballer was back among the winners when Il Portico got off the mark under Kieren Fallon in a mile and a half handicap at Wolverhampton.
Channon’s West Ilsley neighbour, Denis Coakley, also enjoyed success when Huygens, ridden by Darryll Holland, ran out an impressive winner of a mile handicap at Kempton.
Over the jumps, Ray Mond completed a four-timer for Sean Curran’s Hatford stables, near Stanford in the Vale, with victory at Stratford.
Paul Webber is considering running Edgbriar at Aintree next week after the eight-year-old won for his Mollington stable, at Bangor.
And he also has big hopes for Scampi Boy, who broke his duck over hurdles under Faringdon jockey William Kennedy at Warwick to give Witney owner David Carring-ton his first winner.
With Mark Bradstock still on a high following Carruthers’ cracking fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup two weeks ago, he enjoyed success when Vamizi ploughed thro-ugh the mud to score at Exeter.
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