Notable Speech returned to top form to capture his sixth Group One triumph in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes, delivering a performance that reminded everyone why he is such a high‑class competitor. The chestnut colt, trained by Charlie Appleby, has been a consistent presence at the highest level over the past three seasons, adding prestigious victories such as 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 to his résumé.
Although he suffered an unexpected setback when he could only manage sixth place as the favourite in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, the horse quickly rebounded when he was dropped back to a seven‑furlong distance on the Knavesmire. Even though the ground was softer than his ideal preference, Notable Speech displayed his true class under the skilled hands of regular jockey William Buick. He surged forward with a powerful stride, then accelerated in the closing stages, pulling away two and three‑quarter lengths from the rest of the field to win as the 9‑4 favourite.
Appleby praised the colt after the race, saying, "You have to admire him. You see 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. We’re fortunate to be able to give these athletes the chance to keep competing, and that’s largely thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the Godolphin team for allowing us to keep them in training.
It would be far easier to retire a horse of his calibre. "Modern Games and Space Blues could have been retired to stud much earlier.
Rebel’s Romance was a gelding, so his situation was different, but if I owned a mare I would be the first to send her to a stallion that has won Group Ones at three, four and five years of age." He added, "This new seven‑furlong Group One was exactly what the UK needed and it has attracted strong support. Seeing a horse like Notable Speech win will hopefully give the race the recognition it deserves." Following the victory, Appleby’s team set their sights on a second Breeders' Cup win with the colt. The Moulton Paddocks handler explained, "I spoke with a few people from the Breeders' Cup earlier today.
The good thing about today’s performance is that he showed versatility on ground that was a little softer than ideal. When we head to Keeneland we might face more autumnal ground, so this run gives us confidence that we can go straight to the Breeders' Cup now." Meanwhile, other racing news continued to unfold.
William Haggas expressed cautious optimism about a potential Betfred St Leger entry for Infraad after the colt’s recent 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 horse in a prestigious £180,000 race over a mile and three‑quarters—a distance he has won three times before—where Infraad started as a joint‑favourite at 100‑30 alongside Joseph O'Brien’s Limestone. Both market leaders were in contention in the final furlong, but it was Infraad who proved the most resilient over the extended trip, finishing two lengths clear of the staying‑on Galilean Quality, while Limestone faded to fifth.
Haggas commented, "He’s improving but still quite raw. He was a bit juvenile before the race and a little edgy, so there’s still a lot for him to learn. Tom said he’s relentless once he gets going and he won comfortably." Looking ahead, bookmakers have trimmed the odds on the St Leger winner to 8‑1 from 16‑1 for the race at Doncaster next month. However, Haggas believes the season‑ending Classic might be premature for a horse he views as a long‑term project.
He recalled a previous experience with Guaranteel, a Highclere‑trained horse that won the Leger quickly after a three‑and‑a‑half‑length victory at top weight, only to find the race came too soon for him. "I suspect the Leger will be too early in Infraad’s career as well, and he’s more likely to target the Noel Murless at Ascor," Haggas said. "I don’t like pushing a big, raw horse too hard too early; I’d rather let him develop into a solid Cup contender over a few years." In other headlines, Sky Sports Racing featured all‑weather action from Lingfield Park, while a racing round‑up highlighted Constitution Hill’s inclusion among Windsor entries. The network also covered the exciting debut win of Camarda Rc at Windsor, and reported on Deauville where Aventure ended Diamond Necklace’s unbeaten run with a victory in the Sumbe Prix Jean et Louis Romanet.
York saw further celebrations as Rossa Ryan hailed a ‘great’ Ebor victory aboard Daiquiri Bay, with the latter defending his lead to secure a thrilling win on the Knavesmire. The day’s coverage underscored the depth and variety of British flat racing, from Group One sprints to staying contests, and highlighted the strategic planning of trainers like Appleby and Haggas as they balance immediate targets with long‑term ambitions for their stars. Fans are encouraged to stay connected with the latest racing news, interviews, and features through their mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a story from the sport’s ever‑evolving landscape.