Racing fans worldwide will be locked to television screens Tuesday afternoon when Royal Ascot gets underway.
With thousands of fans expected to descend on the small Berkshire town, here in the UAE much of the interest will centre on the Godolphin horses competing at the esteemed festival.
Two men at the fore of Godolphin’s exploits are jockeys James Doyle and Willie Buick, who share their memorable moments and what to look forward to for the week ahead.
What has been your most memorable moment at Royal Ascot?
JD: Riding a treble on the second day of the meeting three years ago (19 June 2013). Al Kazeem won the G1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, Belgian Bill took the Royal Hunt Cup, and Rizeena won the G2 Queen Mary. I will never forget it.
WB: In 2012, I rode five winners at the meeting, and Fallen For You landing the G1 Coronation Stakes was probably the highlight. In 2014, winning the Prince Of Wales’s on The Fugue was also very important to me.
For a jockey, what is the perfect preparation for the meeting?
JD: We have a busy schedule, in any case, and that often means going to Windsor on the Monday night before Ascot, after having been riding somewhere else in the afternoon. Naturally, you are excited on the eve of the meeting. But, if you have a good first day, you find you sleep soundly that night.
WB: It is important to be well prepared for this week. Every race is ultra-competitive, and you need to study the races closely. This year, I find myself suspended on the Monday, so it will give me extra time for that study. It is also important to keep a lid on it. Don’t allow yourself to get ‘gee-ed’ up. Also, if you can get an early winner this week, it is a real boost to your confidence.
Physically, how demanding is the week?
JD: Very. I would look forward to having rides in very nearly every race over the five days. Fitness levels are high anyway, but it is still demanding. Mentally, it can be just as taxing. You are riding against the best jockeys in the world, competing for the most important prizes. There is no margin for error, whatsoever, and you are constantly aware of that.
WB: In the UK, we are riding every day of the week – afternoons and evenings in the summer. So, physically, it is much the same. But it is more mentally demanding. You are riding at the top level for five days solid. You have to stay mentally sharp. That early winner can be a huge advantage because this is such an important meeting.
What race at Royal Ascot this week are you most looking forward to riding in?
JD: The very first race of the meeting, the G1 Queen Anne Stakes. I ride Belrado, and it seems the ground has come right for him. He prefers it on the soft side. Obviously, the American visitor Tepin will be a formidable opponent. It should be a fantastic race.
WB: I am really looking forward to the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes. It is a very good race on paper, they look very even. Not one stands out…yet. My mount Emotionless faces a tough task, up against 3 Guineas winners. But he’s in great form and he looks great.
What Godolphin horse are you most looking forward to partnering?
JD: Beautiful Romance in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes on Saturday. Her win in the G2 Middleton Stakes at York last month was very good. She fought it out all the way to the line, and the form of the race has worked out well. She has done so well since.
WB: Again, Emotionless is a horse I have really been eager to ride again on raceday. He has not run since the G1 Dewhurst last October, but he has a lot going for him. One other is Hawkbill in Thursday’s G3 Tercentenary Stakes, though he prefers it on top of the ground.
