William Buick confident Charlie Appleby’s Ruling Court and Desert Flower are ‘two best horses’ in the Derby and Oaks at Epsom

William Buick believes that he will be riding ‘the two best horses’ as he bids to make more history at Epsom later this week.

The jockey will be onboard Desert Flower during tomorrow’s Oaks before partnering up with Ruling Court 24 hours later in the Derby.

And having rode both of the Charlie Appleby-trained horses to glory in the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month, another double in Surrey would see Buick become the first jockey to win the first four Classics of a season.

And as far as the 36-year-old is concerned, he would not swap his mounts for any other in either race.

He said: “Every year you’re excited for Derby weekend, but I must admit this year there’s a bit more excitement.

“The Derby is our most important race, it’s the holy grail, and you get a special buzz in the lead-up to it.

“I feel I’m on the two best horses. There’s the question mark about the distance as they’ve never been beyond a mile, but I feel they’re the best in the race.

“It’s a big ask to try to win both, and it'd be a huge thing, but winning the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas was a huge achievement itself.”

As referred to by Buick, both of the Moulton Paddocks residents will have to prove that they are capable of lasting the distance.

Neither has previously tackled a mile and a half – and Buick has conceded that the question will not be answered until the ‘last couple of furlongs’.

He added: “They’ll either stay or they won’t, it’s as simple as that.

“You have to ride them accordingly but you can't make a horse stay. You’ll only find out in the last couple of furlongs. You won’t get an indication before that.

“To win a Derby you need speed and stamina, temperament in the build-up and an amazing will to win.

“I’d say the most important thing is balance as well as cruising and finishing speed (because) slow horses don’t win.

“Ruling Court and Desert Flower have all of those attributes, and it’s just whether the distance is within them. That’s the one thing we won’t 100 per cent know until the day.”

On a personal level, Buick tasted Derby glory back in 2018 when he partnered Appleby’s Masar to victory.

But the Oaks has so far proven to be elusive for the jockey/trainer combination, who have had two runner-up finshes.

Buick said: “I don’t think Epsom is going to pose any problems (for Desert Flower).

“She’s always been strong towards the end of her races and I’m hopeful she’ll get the trip.

“I’ve ridden in the Oaks a few times and have not quite managed to win it. To pull it off would mean a lot.

“The Classics are what it’s all about. Each season you set out to find a Classic horse, so to go to Epsom with the calibre of the two horses we have is a privilege.”