The race to be crowned Britain’s Champion Jockey comes down to the final day of the championship season, with defending champion Oisin Murphy (153 winners) holding what appears to be a decisive lead over William Buick (150 winners).

Murphy, who took the honours in 2019 and 2020, looked set for a comfortable defence of his title entering the final weeks of the season, only for Buick to rapidly close the deficit in the last 10 days.

Buick has five chances to bridge the gap on QIPCO British Champions Day, headed by Adayar in the feature G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes, while the pick of Murphy’s four rides looks to be Dragon Symbol in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes.

In the event of a tie, there is no countback, and the title will be shared. This last happened in 2007 with Seb Sanders and Jamie Spencer.

The presentation will take place after the concluding Balmoral Handicap (sponsored by QIPCO).

Oisin Murphy’s rides on QIPCO British Champions Day:

2.00pm – Dragon Symbol

2.35pm – Tribal Craft

3.10pm – Alcohol Free

4.30pm – Sir Busker

William Buick’s rides on QIPCO British Champions Day:

1.25pm – Roberto Escobarr

2.00pm – Creative Force

3.10pm – Master Of The Seas

3.50pm – Adayar

4.30pm – Matthew Flinders

Oisin Murphy

Born:  September 6, 1995, in Killarney, Ireland

Background: Nephew of former jump jockey Jim Culloty, who won three Cheltenham Gold Cups on Best Mate and trained the 2014 winner Lord Windermere. Murphy began riding at the age of four and competed in pony races and show jumping. Joined Culloty’s Cork yard at the age of 13 before teaming up with trainer Tommy Stack two years later. Started riding out for Ireland’s champion Flat trainer Aidan O’Brien at 16 and then moved to England as an apprentice for Andrew Balding in October 2012. First win came aboard Imperial Glance at Salisbury on June 16, 2013. Capped 2013 with a memorable four-timer on Ayr Gold Cup day, including landing the feature race on Highland Colori. Had a three-month spell with leading Australian trainer Danny O’Brien in 2013/2014 and gained 13 successes. Appointed second jockey behind Andrea Atzeni to Qatar Racing Ltd ahead of 2015 Flat season and became first jockey to the organisation when Atzeni returned to trainer Roger Varian in late 2015. First Royal Ascot success came aboard Benbatl in the 2017 G3 Hampton Court Stakes.

Accolades: Champion Apprentice: 2014, Champion Jockey: 2019 & 2020

British Classic wins (1): QIPCO 2000 Guineas (2020 Kameko)

Royal Ascot wins (10) including: Coronation Stakes (2021 Alcohol Free)

Other major wins include: Dubai Turf (2018 Benbatl), Juddmonte International (2018 Roaring Lion), Irish Champion Stakes (2018 Roaring Lion), Japan Cup (2019 Suave Richard), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (2018 Roaring Lion), Sussex Stakes (2018 Lightning Spear, 2021 Alcohol Free)

William Buick

Born:  July 22, 1988, in Norway 

Background: Fluent in Norwegian, Danish and German as well as English. Hails from a family with lots of equestrian background. His mother Maria became a showjumper and dressage rider, while his father Walter enjoyed a long career as a jockey, being champion jockey eight times in Denmark and once in Norway. William rode out for his father in Germany and for Norwegian champion trainer Wido Neuroth. During the holidays, he would travel over to Britain to ride work for Reg Hollinshead, Marcus Tregoning and Andrew Balding. Returned to Balding’s yard at Kingsclere, Berkshire, to become an apprentice jockey after leaving school at the age of 16. First ride came in August 2006, and his first victory came on Bank On Benny at Salisbury on September 27. Following a working holiday in Florida, USA, he returned to Britain at the start of 2007 and soon earned a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting apprentices. Gained a first Royal Ascot success on Dark Missile in the Wokingham Handicap in June 2007, and first Group victory on Buccellati in the G3 St Simon Stakes at Newbury in October 2008. Ended 2008 as joint-Champion Apprentice and was appointed stable jockey to John Gosden in January 2010, despite never having ridden for the Newmarket trainer. Announced as a Godolphin retained jockey on November 9, 2014 and rides as first jockey to Charlie Appleby.

Accolades: Champion Apprentice (shared title with David Probert) in 2008.

British Classic wins (4): Cazoo Derby (2018 Masar), Cazoo St Leger (2010 Arctic Cosmos, 2011 Masked Marvel, 2021 Hurricane Lane). 

Royal Ascot wins (28) including: Coronation Stakes (2012 Fallen For You), King’s Stand Stakes (2018 Blue Point), Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (2014 The Fugue), Queen Anne Stakes (2017 Ribchester)

Other major wins include: Dewhurst Stakes (2019 Pinatubo, 2021 Native Trail), Dubai World Cup (2015 Prince Bishop), Juddmonte International (2020 Ghaiyyath), Irish Champion Stakes (2013 The Fugue), Irish Derby (2015 Jack Hobbs, 2021 Hurricane Lane), King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (2011 Nathaniel, 2021 Adayar)

BRANDO CLOSING IN ON THE TIN MAN’S QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY RECORD

Brando will join another hugely popular sprinter at the top of the appearance charts for QIPCO British Champions Day when he makes his sixth consecutive start at the end of season highlight today.

The Tin Man currently holds the record for most QIPCO British Champions Day starts with six consecutive outings in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint between 2015 and 2020, including victory in 2016.

Nine-year-old Brando finished third on his QIPCO British Champions Day debut in 2016 and continued his excellent record in the six-furlong contest last year when going down by a nose to Glen Shiel. He also finished sixth in 2017 and fourth in both 2018 and 2019.

Tom Eaves, who has partnered the Kevin Ryan-trained veteran on four of those starts, is set to take the ride again.

Amy Ryan, daughter of Kevin Ryan, told the Nick Luck Daily podcast on Friday: “Brando is a bit of a legend, isn’t he?

“I was at Nottingham on Thursday and a member of the public said to me ‘I love that horse, is he going to run on Saturday?’ and he had followed him since he was a two-year-old.

“Brando really deserves to win this race. He loves the track, although ideally a bit more rain would have been nice as the softer ground the better for him. He is normally a huge price, but he always runs his race, and it might be worth backing him each-way.”

Elsewhere on the card, Stradivarius is due to make a fifth straight start in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup, while Lord Glitters will also be having his fifth appearance on the day in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO).

MOST APPEARANCES AT QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY

6 Appearances

The Tin Man

5 Appearances

Brando*

Jack Dexter

Maverick Wave

4 Appearances

Cirrus Des Aigles

Donjuan Triumphant

Gabrial

Librisa Breeze

Lightning Spear

Lord Glitters*

Maarek

Stradivarius*

*declared today

RUNNERS TODAY WITH PREVIOUS FORM ON QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY

1.25pm G2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup

Stradivarius

2017 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup 3rd 4/1

2018 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup 1st EvsF

2019 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup 2nd 8/13F

2020 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup 12th 11/10F

Trueshan

2020 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup 1st 11/1

2.00pm G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint

Art Power

2020 QIPCO British Champions Sprint 4th 7/1

Brando

2016 QIPCO British Champions Sprint 3rd 14/1

2017 QIPCO British Champions Sprint 6th 20/1

2018 QIPCO British Champions Sprint 4th 13/2

2019 QIPCO British Champions Sprint 4th 25/1

2020 QIPCO British Champions Sprint 2nd 80/1

Glen Shiel

2019 Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO) 4th 18/1

2020 QIPCO British Champions Sprint 1st 16/1

Happy Power

2019 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO) 6th 25/1

2020 QIPCO British Champions Sprint 9th 17/2

3.10pm G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO)

Benbatl

2019 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO) 16th 7/2F

Lord Glitters

2017 Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO) 1st 3/1F

2018 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO) 6th 8/1

2019 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO) 8th 11/2

2020 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO) 6th 33/1

Njord

2020 Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO) 1st 15/2

Palace Pier

2020 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO) 3rd 8/11F

The Revenant

2019 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO) 2nd 4/1

2020 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO) 1st 5/1

3.10pm G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes

Addeybb

2018 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO) 12th 15/2

2019 QIPCO Champion Stakes 2nd 5/1

2020 QIPCO Champion Stakes 1st 9/1

Mishriff

2020 QIPCO Champion Stakes 8th 4/1

4.30pm Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO)

Sir Busker

2020 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO) 4th 66/1

Oh This Is Us

2017 Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO) 7th 25/1

Accidental Agent

2017 Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO) 4th 12/1

2019 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO) 11th 50/1

Escobar

2018 Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO) 2nd 33/1

2019 Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO) 1st 16/1

Saltonstall

2019 Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO) 13th 50/1

Symbolize

2020 Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO) 8th 33/1