William Buick landed the biggest success of his career aboard Nathaniel in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot – but his first thoughts were with Rewilding after Godolphin’s colt suffered a fatal injury.

Buick, who lived with his father, Walter, at Letcombe Regis, near Wantage, before moving to join trainer John Gosden at Newmarket last year, stormed home by two and three-quarter lengths on 11-2 shot Nathaniel for his boss, with Workforce second.

But behind him, Rewilding broke his near fore leg at the two-furlong pole, catapulting Frankie Dettori into the turf, before cantering up to the winning post where he was put down.

Buick, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Friday, said: “First of all, I would like to say how sorry I am for Rewilding and the connections. It is never nice to see that happen.”

Turning his thoughts to his own success, he added: “This means everything and it is just fantastic.

“I can remember when I came racing with my dad before I was riding to watch the King George the year Golan won.

“Now I am here winning the King George. It is a dream come true.”

Nathaniel’s success was the centrepiece of a brilliant treble for Buick and Gosden, who also captured the Betfair Summer Double First Leg International Stakes with Bronze Prince, and the closing handicap with Aiken.

Bronze Prince pipped The Confessor, whose Wantage-based jockey Cathy Gannon picked up a four-day whip ban.