Notable Speech returned to his dazzling best form to capture his sixth Group One triumph in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes, adding another glittering chapter to an already impressive career. The chestnut colt, trained by Charlie Appleby, has been a consistent top‑class performer over the past three seasons, boasting a résumé that includes victories in the 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes in 2024, the Woodbine Mile and Breeders' Cup Mile in 2025, and the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury earlier this spring.
Those wins established him as a versatile miler with the stamina and turn of foot to excel at the highest level. His only notable stumble came at Royal Ascot in June, when he finished a disappointing sixth as the favourite in the Queen Anne Stakes.
The race exposed a rare off‑day, but Appleby quickly redirected his plans, dropping the horse back to seven furlongs on the historic Knavesmire at York. Although the ground was softer than his ideal firm surface, the change of venue proved ideal for the colt’s running style. Ridden by his regular jockey William Buick, Notable Speech broke sharply from the gate, settled comfortably, and then surged forward with a powerful stride.
As the race entered the final furlongs, he accelerated decisively, pulling away two and three‑quarter lengths from the nearest challenger and confirming his status as the 9‑4 favourite. After the race, Appleby praised the horse’s longevity and class.
He said, "You have to admire a horse that can win at two and three, but to keep performing at four and five is something truly special. We’re fortunate that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the Godolphin operation allow us to keep such horses in training rather than retiring them early.
Many of his contemporaries, like Modern Games and Space Blues, would have gone to stud much sooner. Even though Rebel's Romance was a gelding, if I owned a mare I’d be the first to send her to a stallion that wins Group Ones at three, four and five." Appleby added that the new seven‑furlong Group One at York fills a needed niche in the British racing calendar and that a victory by a horse of Notable Speech’s calibre will raise the race’s profile considerably. The win also fits into a broader narrative of the York Ebor Festival, which featured a series of memorable performances. Daiquiri Bay held off a strong field to claim the thrilling Ebor Handicap on the Knavesmire, while Kevin Blake’s festival tips highlighted several promising contenders for the remaining days of action.
Sky Sports Racing’s coverage on Sunday showcased live feeds from Brighton, Worcester and Deauville, underscoring the international appeal of the sport. In other news, the Moulton Paddocks stable, which houses Notable Speech, is already looking ahead to a second Breeders' Cup campaign.
The trainer explained, "I spoke with a few Breeders' Cup officials earlier today. What’s encouraging is that Notable Speech showed versatility on ground that was a bit softer than his preferred firm turf. When we head to Keeneland, the surface could be more autumnal, but his performance today gives us confidence that he can handle those conditions and we’re ready to aim straight for the Breeders' Cup." This optimism reflects the broader strategy of Godolphin, which seeks to showcase its best horses on the world stage. Meanwhile, William Haggas expressed measured optimism about his own contender, Infraad, after a solid victory in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap at York.
Infraad, a son of Ghaiyyath, has shown steady improvement across five starts, most recently handling a mile and a half at Glorious Goodwood. Haggas entered the Betfred St Leger with Infraad as a joint‑favorite at 100‑30 alongside Joseph O’Brien’s Limestone.
In the race, both horses battled fiercely in the final furlong, but Infraad proved the stronger staying prospect, winning by two lengths over Galilean Quality, while Limestone faded to fifth. Haggas was candid about his colt’s development, noting, "He’s improving but still a bit raw. He was juvenile before the race and a little edgy, so there’s still work to be done. Tom Marquand said he’s relentless when he gets going and he won comfortably, which is encouraging." He also discussed the strategic timing of future campaigns, especially the St Leger at Doncaster.
Bookmakers have already cut Infraad’s odds from 16‑1 to 8‑1, but Haggas cautioned that the classic might be too soon for a horse he views as a long‑term project. He recalled a previous experience with Guaranteel, a Highclere‑trained horse that won the St Leger too early in his career, and suggested that Infraad might be better suited to the Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot instead. Haggas summed up his philosophy: "I don’t like putting a gun to a horse’s head too early, especially a big raw horse who I hope will be a nice horse for a few years.
Let’s not squeeze the lemon dry too early. He’s only just getting the hang of this distance, and I think he’ll develop into a genuine cup horse with time." This patient approach mirrors the broader trend in modern racing, where owners and trainers balance immediate glory with the long‑term health and value of their equine athletes. Overall, Notable Speech’s victory at York underscores the importance of adaptability, careful placement, and the support of a world‑class operation like Godolphin.
By navigating a setback at Ascot, thriving on softer ground, and delivering a decisive finish, the chestnut has cemented his legacy as a rare horse capable of winning Group One races across multiple seasons. His success not only enhances his own reputation but also shines a spotlight on the City of York Stakes, a race that now enjoys heightened prestige thanks to his performance. As the season progresses, fans will be eager to see whether Notable Speech can add further laurels, perhaps at the Breeders' Cup, while other trainers like Haggas continue to nurture the next generation of champions.