Notable Speech returned to his dazzling best form to capture his sixth Group One triumph in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes, reaffirming his status as one of the premier middle‑distance horses in training today. The chestnut colt, trained by Charlie Appleby, has been a consistent top‑level performer over the past three seasons, boasting an impressive résumé that includes victories in the 2024 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes, a double in the 2025 Woodbine Mile and Breeders' Cup Mile, and a recent win in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury earlier this spring.
Despite an unexpected dip in form when he finished a disappointing sixth as the favourite in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, Notable Speech quickly rediscovered his true ability when stepped down to seven furlongs on the historic Knavesmire course. Although the ground was softer than his ideal firmer turf, the horse responded brilliantly under the steady hands of his regular jockey, William Buick. Buick guided the colt to a powerful, sustained drive in the straight, pulling away by two and three‑quarter lengths from the nearest challenger to claim the race as the 9‑4 favourite. After the race, Appleby praised the horse's longevity and versatility: "You have to admire a horse like him.
Many trainers get great performers at two and three, but to see the same animal dominate at four and five is a rare privilege. We are fortunate that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the Godolphin team allow us to keep such horses in training rather than retiring them early." Appleby went on to explain the broader implications of the win: "Modern Games and Space Blues could have been retired to stud much sooner, and even Rebel's Romance, though a gelding, had a different career path. If I owned a mare, I would be the first to send her to a stallion that has proven Group One success at three, four and five years of age. This new seven‑furlong Group One adds a valuable middle‑distance test to the UK calendar, and a victory by a horse of Notable Speech's calibre will help raise the race's profile and attract strong fields in the years to come." The triumph also fits into a larger narrative for Appleby's stable, which has been targeting a second Breeders' Cup victory this season.
Speaking about future plans, Appleby said, "I spoke with a few Breeders' Cup officials earlier today. The fact that Notable Speech performed so well on ground that was a touch softer than his preferred firm turf gives us confidence that he can handle a range of conditions. When we head to Keeneland, the surface may be more autumnal, but this performance suggests he will adapt and could be a serious contender at the Breeders' Cup Mile." The race day programme on Sky Sports Racing featured a full slate of all‑weather action across venues such as Ffos Las, Lingfield Park, Newton Abbot, Southwell, Newbury, Wolverhampton, and Windsor, highlighting the breadth of British racing.
Among the other notable stories, Deauville saw Aventure break Diamond Necklace's unbeaten streak by winning the Sumbe Prix Jean et Louis Romanet, underscoring the unpredictable nature of top‑class competition. In other British news, trainer William Haggas expressed cautious optimism about his colt Infraad after a convincing win in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap at York. Infraad, a son of Ghaiyyath, has shown steady improvement across five starts, most recently delivering a solid performance over a mile and a half at Glorious Goodwood.
Haggas entered the horse in the prestigious Betfred St Leger, a £180,000 test over a mile and three‑quarters, where Infraad was joint‑favourite at 100‑30 alongside Joseph O'Brien's Limestone. The race unfolded as a classic duel between the two market leaders in the final furlong, but Infraad proved the more resilient, pulling clear to finish two lengths ahead of Galilean Quality, with Limestone dropping back to fifth. Haggas praised the colt's tenacity, noting, "He's improving but still quite raw.
He was a bit juvenile before the race and a little edgy, so there is still work to be done. Tom Marquand said he is relentless when he gets going, and he won comfortably today." Looking ahead, bookmakers have trimmed the odds for Infraad's St Leger chances from 16‑1 to 8‑1, reflecting growing confidence. However, Haggas cautioned that the Classic might be a step too early for a horse he views as a long‑term project.
He recalled a similar situation with Guaranteel, a Highclere colt who won the St Leger too soon after a dominant performance at Goodwood, and suggested that Infraad might be better suited to the Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot later in the season. "I don't like to push a young, raw horse too hard too early," Haggas explained.
"We want him to develop gradually, become a reliable Cup horse, and enjoy a long, successful career rather than burning out after one big win." Overall, Notable Speech's victory in the City of York Stakes not only adds another prestigious Group One to his record but also reinforces Charlie Appleby's reputation for nurturing horses that excel across multiple seasons. The win provides a timely boost to the new seven‑furlong Group One, offering a fresh target for middle‑distance specialists and promising to enhance the race's standing within the British racing calendar.
With the Breeders' Cup on the horizon and other promising horses like Infraad continuing to progress, the remainder of the season promises further excitement for fans and connections alike.