McEvoy And Dettori Step In For Buick

McEvoy Gets Royal Ascot Call Up

Kerrin McEvoy and Frankie Dettori are two more jockeys that have been given the job of filling in on certain rides in William Buick's absence after it was already announced that James Doyle will take the majority of the Norwegian jockeys rides.

Charlie Appleby has made the call to bring McEvoy over for the five day summertime showpiece and keep him in England up until the July festival at Newmarket to help out during William Buick's time out of the sport due to his head injury.

Epsom winning jockey Buick is Godolphin's number one rider but has been out since May 11th after recovering post head-injury syndrome sustained when falling on the way to the start at Ascot.

McEvoy used to ride in Britain in the early part of the 2000s for around two years but is now plying his trade internationally in Australia and Dubai with frequent Godolphin runners at Meydan racecourse.

The jockey is set to ride Houtzen in the Group 1 King's Stands Stakes and he will have to be on the top of his game to get his horse up with the pace in what looks a superb renewal of the race.

(Credit Racing Post) McEvoy is excited about his extended stay in England after Royal Ascot and said: “I was always coming to ride Houtzen in the King’s Stand and with the disappointing news about William, Charlie said it may be worthwhile hanging on for a little bit longer so I can ride a few for them. It’s only going to be for a short period – two or three weeks I’d have thought.

“I’m hoping to get up [to Britain] later in the week, I’m just waiting for my visa to come through. It’s great to be back for Royal Ascot as I haven’t been involved there for a few years now.”

The rider is unsure as to what rides he will pick up across the five day meeting with Doyle taking up the number one spot for Godolphin but he will be sure to stake his claim to be on board Cross Counter in the Gold Cup as they won together in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup.

Frankie Fills In On Crystal Ocean

Two big pieces of news have been dropped today ahead of Royal Ascot by the leading trainer at the meeting, Sir Michael Stoute and both of them have made things a lot more interesting.

The unbeaten this season Crystal Ocean, who has been ridden by William Buick in the past is set to be have Frankie Dettori on board him for the first time in his career.

If that was not enough, the five year old was set to go in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes in an effort to land back to back wins in the contest but instead Stoute will enter him into the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes as the horse goes in search of his first black type victory.

Dettori did not have a ride in the Group 1 contest after it was confirmed the mighty Enable would miss Royal Ascot and head straight to Sandown for the Coral Eclipse.

This left him open for the ride and he has the potential to be able to unlock that Group 1 winning run for Crystal Ocean that he has just fell short on a number of times in his highly progressive career.

(Credit Racing Post) Sir Michael Stoute said: "Crystal Ocean is in good shape and the plan is to go for the ten-furlong race on the Wednesday with Frankie to ride."