Yorkshire trainer Griffiths changes gear to drive Buick to glory

But the South Yorkshire trainer will have a keen interest in today's Investec Derby when one of his former pupils, the precocious William Buick, canters the well-regarded Azmeel to the start ahead of his first ride in the Epsom showpiece.

Buick's career has taken off since he walked into Northern Racing College four years ago, barely weighing six stone, to undergo his apprentice rider's course before turning professional.

A string of high-profile successes – including The Illies at York's 2007 Dante meeting – culminated with Dar Re Mi's amazing triumph in the $5m Sheema Classic on the opening night of Dubai's new Meydan racecourse.

His first high-profile ride for John Gosden, the top Newmarket trainer, Buick, 21, timed his final run to perfection aboard the horse who is owned by composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber and his wife Madeliene.

"An achievement of a lifetime," said the latter.

This victory also signalled Buick's arrival on the international stage and confirmed that he is a rider mature beyond his tender years and boyish looks.

"I knew William was coming to Rossington – Martin Dwyer, who had won a Derby on Sir Percy, told me about this special rider at Andrew Balding's stables," said Griffiths.

"He was only 16 – but about five-and-a-half or six stone. You could tell he was well above average, even though he was so small.

"He was quite quiet – until he got on the back of a horse, then he was something special. He had great hands and could get a horse settled, also had good balance.

"For someone so young, he was so advanced."

Unlike many NRC graduates, Buick enjoyed a head start – his father Walter was a champion jockey in Scandinavia and his mother Maria was an eventer.

"When I was riding abroad he was always with me from early on.

"He knew the racing game before he was 12 years of age," said Buick senior who is a race reader for the Press Association.

Another admirer is former Royal trainer Ian Balding whose son Andrew was Buick junior's first boss.

He struck a bet at odds of 500-1, and before the jockey had ridden in public, that the new talent would be champion by 2020.

Multi-lingual and fluent in four languages, Buick prefers to let his riding do the talking. He believes Azmeel will be well-suited to Epsom's undulations after winning Chester's Dee Stakes last month – a recognised Derby trial.

He says he will treat the race "like any other".

He is perturbed that he left Chepstow winnerless. He is even less forthcoming when reminded of Dress Up – his mount in the Hilary Needler Trophy at Beverley 10 days ago that was injured on the way to the start.

"I don't think I do anything special – just being on good horses helps," says Buick with typical modesty bordering upon shyness.

Others disagree. Jason Weaver, a retired jockey and TV pundit, has likened Buick to Steve Cauthen, the American prodigy known as 'The Kid' who then became a champion jockey in Britain and a two-time Derby winner. Buick had not even ridden for Gosden until this year – but the trainer had no doubts about his rider's mental toughness when he replaced an out-of-favour Jimmy Fortune.

"You don't have to tell William something twice and, in this world of frothy celebrity, he's got a sense of humility. There aren't any ego problems," said Gosden who trained the 1997 Derby winner Benny The Dip.

Griffiths concurs. In his racing career, he rode for Ian Balding, among others, before it was cut short by a broken neck sustained on the gallops.

He joined Northern Racing College as an instructor in 2004. He left in February to set up his own stables at Bawtry with his wife Sophie.

They have eight horses – and are still looking for their first winner. Patience is the key, a lesson that Griffiths has taught dozens of aspiring riders, including Buick who has been a visitor to the stables.

"I'm trying to train horses rather than jockeys – I'm not sure which is harder," adds Griffiths.

"Perhaps I'll have to sign up William; he's cool under pressure and will just go from strength to strength.

"I, for one, won't be surprised when he wins a Derby."