Many may be wondering why William Buick isn’t riding in this weekend’s Irish 2000 Guineas as Charlie Appleby heads over to the Curragh with a live chance.
William Buick To Miss Irish 2000 Guineas
Charlie Appleby sends over two horses for the Irish 2000 Guineas this weekend including English Guineas third Distant Storm.
Distant Storm was ridden by William Buick the last day at Newmarket but the two-time British Champion Jockey won’t be in the saddle this time.
Buick will be missing all of his regular Godolphin rides due to a suspension picked up recently.
Appleby’s stable jockey is on the sidelines as he is serving a six-day ban for overusing his whip on Caballo De Mar in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot this month.
Buick’s ban comes as a bad time actually with Buick riding with a strong strike rate. He’s had seven winners from his last 26 rides with a strike rate of 27%.
Instead, Billy Loughnane, who won the English 2000 Guineas on Bow Echo will take the ride as he looks to win his first British Group 1 for Appleby and Godolphin.
As for Distant Storm’s stablemate, Pacific Avenue will be ridden by Jamie Spencer in a rare ride for the yard. Although it’s extremely hard to fancy the son of Dubawi, given he’s not really achieved much.
WATCH: Distant Storm Stays On For Third In English 2000 Guineas
🏆BOW ECHO WINS THE BETFRED 2000 GUINEAS🏆
A classic for Billy Loughnane – Incredible 🚀#ITVRacing | @loughnane_billy | @gbougheyracing pic.twitter.com/JbDdKzXPOW
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 2, 2026
Irish 2000 Guineas Race Information 2026
📅 Date: Saturday, 23rd May 2026
⌚ Time: 3:40pm
🏇 Racecourse: Curragh
🔄 Trip: 1m
💷 Winner: €285,000
📺 TV: ITV Racing / Racing TV
Have Godolphin Ever Won The Irish 2000 Guineas?
Yes, Godolphin have been successful in the Irish 2000 Guineas.
They’ve won the race three times, with Native Trail the last to do it in 2022 for William Buick and Charlie Appleby.
Saeed bin Suroor was the other trainer to win the Irish 2000 Guineas for Godolphin.
The legendary Frankie Dettori road both Dubawi and Bachir to victory in 2005 and 2000.
WATCH: Native Trail Wins 2022 Irish 2000 Guineas
Irish 2000 Guineas Betting Odds
See the latest Irish 2000 Guineas betting odds for Saturday’s race at the Curragh.
- Gstaad 4/9 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Distant Storm 4/1 (Charlie Appleby)
- Alparslan 8/1 (Karl Burke)
- Thesecretadversary 8/1 (J A Stack)
- Power Blue 33/1 (Robson De Aguiar)
- Go Just Do It 40/1 (Joseph O’Brien)
- Pacific Avenue 40/1 (Jamie Spencer)
- Neolitchic 50/1 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Bamako Beach 66/1 (M D O’Callaghan)
- Take Charge Star 100/1 (Johnny Murtagh)
