Buick's Sheema Classic glory

William Buick celebrates after Old Persian won the Dubai Sheema Classic. - Photo by Neeraj Murali.

On a night when Thunder Snow made racing history by becoming the first horse to win two Dubai World Cups, jockey William Buick wrote his own glorious chapter in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic.
Old Persian, the four-year-old son of the legendary Dubawi, produced a superlative race to give Buick his third straight Dubai Sheema Classic triumph.
This was also Buick's fourth Sheema Classic win, making him the most successful jockey in the history of this race.
The Godolphin horse beat Cheval Grand, ridden by Australian jockey Hugh Bowman, by a length and half to give trainer Charlie Appleby his third win of the night.
"William gave him a great ride. He made the decisive move on the turn and made sure he got the gap he needed. He has got the class and he showed that tonight," said the British trainer after the race at Meydan.
"It has been a fantastic evening for myself and Godolphin. It's been a great night really. It was a great race against some great horses," he added.
Appleby had won the last year's Sheema Classic with Hawkbill.
"Last year, it was a tough fight. Today it was much better, William really did a great job tonight," said Appleby before adding that they have some big plans for the European season with Old Persian.
Coming into Saturday's race with two wins in his previous three starts, the versatile Old Persian proved his class, leaving the formidable Cheval Grand in second place while another Japanese horse, Suave Richard - ridden by Joao Moreira -- took the third place.
With his first Group 1 victory since his debut in 2017, Old Persian has now come of age.
"It was a good tactical run today. It's always great to ride this horse because he has so much pace," said Buick after his third win of the night.
"He (Old Persian) has gone from strength to strength. He has really showed his class tonight."
While showering Old Persian with praise, Buick admitted that he was on cloud nine following his fourth Dubai Sheema Classic triumph.
Having won his first Sheema Classic on Dar Re Mi in 2010, the highly successful British jockey won the turf battle again on Jack Hobbs and Hawkbill respectively in the last two years.
Naturally, his joy knew no bounds after Old Persian's stunning finish on Saturday night.
"This is fantastic. I am in a very privileged position," the 30-year-old jockey said.
"Four of my Sheema Classic wins have come on fantastic horses. Every single one of them has been special for me. To come here on a night to have the rides I had, you know, it's amazing. It's just so nice when it comes off."
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com