Breeders' Cup: William Buick survives steward inquiry as Godolphin's Line Of Duty wins Juvenile Turf

Godolphin jockey William Buick had to survive a steward’s inquiry before Line Of Duty was declared the winner of the Group 1 Juvenile Turf on Day 1 of the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs racetrack on Friday.

Buick had to pull the colt out from the inside rail to produce his challenge from the outside, but bumped Uncle Benny just before flashing past the winning post.

“I've never been so tense on a racecourse, but that was a great decision by the stewards because we saw the best horse won the race,” said a relieved Buick when the results were announced.

“I thought he did very well because I didn't have a straightforward trip myself. He jumped too well, which we can't really say many times about our horses – especially two-year-olds – so I took him back and then I got a couple of bumps and had to take him off heels.”

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Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby, who has had a superb season highlighted by Masar’s victory in the Epsom Derby in the summer, said it was fantastic result for the team and was delighted for the connections.

Masar was sixth in this race last year before becoming the first horse to win the English Derby in the Royal Blue silks. Line Of Duty may follow the same path.

“I was talking to someone the other evening and they said watching him in France last time that he was under the pump early, but this horse just loves to be driven and the harder you drive him, the more he finds,” Appleby said.

“It was a fantastic ride by William, he's got him angled out and he's got him a clear run. I knew when he got him rolling down the straight he was always going to hit the line strong and that's what he did.”

Godolphin have three entered on Saturday’s nine-race card, all Group 1 races, and trained by three different trainers.

Appleby sends out Wild Illusion in the Breeders' Cup Turf for Fillies and Mares, Frenchman Andre Fabre runs Talismanic in the Breeders' Cup Turf, and Saeed bin Suroor has Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Storm in the Breeders' Cup Classic.