King George: Adayar has Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on the agenda after Ascot win – William Buick
William Buick feels King George champion Adayar must have the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on his plan after a stylish win at Ascot on Saturday.
Charlie Appleby’s Derby champion became the very first horse since great Galileo triumph in 2001 to do the double, under a decent ride from Buick, defeating four classy rivals at Ascot on Saturday.
This marked another exceptional period in a stellar campaign for both Appleby and Buick, who had already united for Irish Derby and Grand Prix de Paris wins with Hurricane Lane.
Appleby didn’t take part at Ascot on Saturday after being ‘pinged’ by the Coronavirus pandemic app and sent into isolation. In his non-attendance, Buick, who could be the next racehorse owner JP McManus, said Adayar’s options are extremely open.
Buick said, “We’ll enjoy this and speak to Charlie (Appleby) and see what’s best for the horse,”
“I would say one eye would be on the Arc for sure.
“It was a brilliant King George, it had everything. That is what King George is all about.
“He was just doing as he pleased really, we could go where we wanted in the race. Turning into the straight he just filled himself up and off we went.
“It was an amazing performance. He looked very good at Epsom and he’s confirmed that today against older horses.
“He’s a very big horse and when he was younger he didn’t know how to channel his power. Now he knows how powerful he is. He’s an amazing horse to ride.”
Buick could have to decide between Adayar and Hurricane Lane, should the Godolphin duo ever meet once again on the racing track.
Buick, who chose Hurricane Lane at Epsom in June when he finished in the third spot behind his stablemate, having lost two shoes in the Derby, remained neutral when asked who he would prefer.
He said, “They are a little bit different,”
“They’re both very good, that’s their similarity. We’re very fortunate to have two very good horses like that in the stable.”
It was a remarkable day for Buick, as he rode a treble on the card with victories on New Science and Guru.
Adayar then handed the 33-year-old his 2nd King George win, following Nathaniel’s triumph back in 2011.
Buick said, “Ten years is a long time,”
“It’s like winning it again for the first time.
“It means everything. There’s a huge team behind it all and Charlie puts great emphasis on that. It’s a massive team effort to just get to these races. I’m grateful for everyone who puts in the work at home. I just turn up on race day with the pleasure of riding.”
Meanwhile, David Menuisieris looking forward to Goodwood with Wonderful Tonight after missing King George VI as well as Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot.
The four-year-old, champ of the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal tournament on her reappearance in June, needed rain in Berkshire took her spot in Saturday’s Group One schedule.
However, the predicted showers did not occur in time – leaving Menuisier with no choice but to skip the race event with his stable star.
