Notable Speech returned to top form on Saturday, delivering a decisive performance that earned him his sixth Group One victory in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes. The chestnut colt, trained by Charlie Appleby, has been a consistent high‑level competitor over the past three seasons, amassing a résumé that includes the 2024 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes, the 2025 Woodbine Mile and Breeders' Cup Mile, and a Lockinge Stakes win at Newbury earlier this spring. Although he suffered a rare setback when he finished sixth as the favorite in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, the horse quickly regained his confidence when stepped back to seven furlongs on the Knavesmire. The ground was softer than his preferred firm surface, but that did not deter him.
Ridden once again by his regular jockey William Buick, Notable Speech broke sharply from the gate, settled into a steady rhythm, and then accelerated with a powerful turn of foot, pulling away two and three‑quarter lengths from the rest of the field. He crossed the line as the 9‑4 favorite, confirming his status as one of the most versatile middle‑distance runners in training.
Appleby praised the colt after the race, saying, "You have to admire him. You get good horses that can win at two and three, but when a horse continues to succeed at four and five you really have to tip your hat to him." He continued, "We are fortunate that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the Godolphin team allow us to keep horses of this calibre in training for as long as possible.
It would be far easier to retire a horse like Noticable Speech, but the opportunity to keep him racing benefits the sport and the fans." Appleby also reflected on the broader context of staying power in modern breeding, noting, "Horses such as Modern Games and Space Blues could have been retired to stud much earlier. Rebel's Romance, being a gelding, had a different career path, but if I owned a mare I would be the first to send her to a stallion that has proven Group One form at three, four and five years old." He added, "The introduction of a seven‑furlong Group One race in the UK fills a gap in the programme and is already attracting strong support. A victory by a horse of Notable Speech's quality should raise the profile of the race and encourage more owners and trainers to target it in future years." Following the York win, Appleby and his team set their sights on a second Breeders' Cup campaign. The Moulton Paddocks handler explained, "I spoke with a few people from the Breeders' Cup earlier today.
The fact that Notable Speech showed his versatility on ground that was a little softer than ideal gives us confidence. When we travel to Keeneland the surface can be more autumnal, so this performance reassures us that we can head straight to the Breeders' Cup without a further prep race." In other racing news, William Haggas expressed cautious optimism about a potential run in the Betfred St Leger with his colt Infraad. Infraad had recently extended his winning streak by taking the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap at York, showing steady improvement across his five starts, including a solid mile‑and‑a‑half effort at Glorious Goodwood.
Haggas entered Infraad in the £180,000 St Leger, a distance of one mile and three‑quarters, where he started as a joint‑favorite at 100‑30 alongside Joseph O'Brien's Limestone. The race unfolded with both leaders staying prominent in the final furlong, but it was Infraad who proved the most resilient over the extended trip, finishing two lengths ahead of the staying‑on Galilean Quality, while Limestone faded to fifth place. After the race, Haggas commented, "He's improving, but he's still a bit raw.
He was a little juvenile before the race and a touch edgy, so there's still work to be done. Tom said he's relentless when he gets going, and he won comfortably today." Looking ahead, Haggas warned that the St Leger might be too early a test for Infraad, describing the colt as a long‑term project. He recalled a similar situation with Guaranteel, a Highclere‑bred who won the Leger too early and struggled thereafter.
"I suspect the Leger will come too soon in Infraad's career as well. A more suitable target might be the Noel Murless at Ascot, where the distance and timing fit his development better," Haggas said.
He added, "I don't like to push a raw, promising horse too hard too soon. Letting him develop at his own pace will give us a horse that can compete at the highest level for several years. This is his first attempt at this distance, and I expect him to mature into a true Cup horse with time." Meanwhile, the racing calendar continues to buzz with action.
Sky Sports Racing broadcast all‑weather meetings from Lingfield Park, while the Windsor meeting featured a promising debut winner, Camarda Rc. In France, Aventure broke Diamond Necklace's unbeaten record by taking the Sumbe Prix Jean et Louis Romanet at Deauville. Back at York, Rossa Ryan celebrated a "great" Ebor victory aboard Daiquiri Bay, who also defended his title in a thrilling finish on the Knavesmire. For fans who want to stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews, and feature stories, the official racing apps and websites provide real‑time updates, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis.
As the season progresses toward the autumn classics and the international Breeders' Cup series, the performances of horses like Notable Speech and Infraad will be closely watched by enthusiasts and punters alike, offering a glimpse into the future of elite thoroughbred competition.