Young Buick steps up onto centre stage and is immediate hit for Lloyd-Webber

DREAM starts do not come much better than this, with John Gosden and William Buick showing that they are a match made in heaven as composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Dar Re Mi landed the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.

The official opening night at the new record-breaking course had been devoid of any European success until Buick, the baby-faced Northern Racing College graduate, hit the right note, and recorded the biggest win of his fledgling career, on just his fourth ride for his new boss.

Lloyd-Webber's wife Madeleine hailed the success as "the achievement of a lifetime" and said that Dar Re Mi could contest the Yorkshire Oaks this summer.

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Gosden caught everyone unawares when replacing Jimmy Fortune with the budding talent of Buick earlier this year, but his eye for spotting ability was more than vindicated as the pair captured the near 2m winner's prize fund.

It was a decision that could have been so easily inspired by one of Lloyd-Webber's many talent shows.

Buick had not even ridden for Gosden prior to his appointment, but the Newmarket trainer was admiring the 21-year-old from afar and his judgement was vindicated by Dar Re Mi's bravery in a driving finish.

"I have watched William develop and have always liked his style, his balance and his level-headedness," said Gosden. "He is professional, bright and talented.

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"When you see a young guy like him you are surprised that no-one takes them on. I talked to a couple of great jockeys who I trust and they said to take him on, as I did with Frankie (Dettori).

"What a run from the filly. William rode her positively. She is like a fine wine and is getting better with age. The Breeders' Cup is her main target."

The ride was Buick's only one of the night – he was a spectator as the South Africa-trained Gloria De Campeao was a shock winner of the Dubai World Cup, horse racing's richest race – and he was brought down to earth yesterday by riding at Doncaster where the racing was modest in comparsion.

Buick said: "It is a dream come true. The owners just said to me that I should retire now as it won't get any better!"

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