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 regarded as one of the sport's elite middle-distance runners. The chestnut colt, trained by Charlie Appleby, has built an impressive résumé over the past three seasons, adding a string of high‑profile victories to his record. In 2024 he won both the 2000 Guineas and the Sussex Stakes, while the following year he traveled to Canada to claim the Woodbine Mile and later that season added the Breeders' Cup Mile to his accolades. Earlier this spring he secured the Lockinge at Newbury, confirming his ability to stay competitive at the highest level across a range of distances and ground conditions.
The only blemish on his recent record came at Royal Ascot in June, when he finished a disappointing sixth as the odds‑on favourite in the Queen Anne Stakes. That result was widely viewed as an anomaly, and Appleby was quick to point out that the horse had simply encountered a piece of unsuitable ground on a day when the competition was exceptionally strong. Undeterred, the team dropped him back to seven furlongs on the historic Knavesmire surface for the City of York Stakes. Although the going was softer than his preferred firm turf, the colt responded brilliantly, showcasing a blend of stamina and turn of foot that left his rivals trailing.
Ridden by his regular jockey William Buick, Notable Speech broke sharply from the gate, settled comfortably mid‑pack, and then accelerated with a powerful surge in the final stages. He finished two and three‑quarter lengths clear of the rest of the field, confirming his status as the 9‑4 favourite and delivering a decisive statement ahead of the upcoming Breeders' Cup campaign. After the race, Appleby praised the horse, saying, "You have to admire a horse that can win at two and three, but to keep that level at four and five is something special. We are fortunate to have the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the Godolphin operation, because it would be easy to retire a horse of his calibre.
The likes of Modern Games and Space Blues could have gone to stud much earlier, but we have chosen to keep him in training. 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." Appleby also highlighted the broader significance of the race itself, noting that the new seven‑furlong Group One adds valuable depth to the UK racing programme.
"Having a horse of his quality win the race will give it the recognition it deserves and encourage owners and trainers to target it in future years," he added. Looking ahead, the Moulton Paddocks stable is already planning the next steps.
A spokesperson said, "We have spoken with the Breeders' Cup team and the performance on slightly softer ground gives us confidence that he can handle a range of conditions. The question mark at Keeneland is whether the ground will be more autumnal, but we feel ready to head straight to the Breeders' Cup with this horse." The day's racing news also featured several other storylines. Weekend ante‑post picks highlighted a 14/1 chance for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and an 11/4 selection for the St Leger.
In other headlines, Galopin Des Champs was retired, with owner Audrey Turley describing the horse as "one of a kind," while Hollie Doyle celebrated a successful partnership with trainers Marquand and Haggas in the August Stakes. The British Horseracing Authority expressed concern over the lack of rain ahead of the jumps season, prompting discussions about track safety and scheduling. Meanwhile, Sky Sports Racing's programming included coverage from Ffos Las, Fontwell, Sedgefield, Lingfield Park, Newton Abbot and Southwell, offering fans a full slate of action across the country.
In another notable performance, William Haggas remained cautious about targeting the Betfred St Leger with his colt Infraad, who had recently won the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap at York. Infraad, a son of Ghaiyyath, has shown steady improvement over five starts, most recently delivering a respectable effort over a mile and a half at Glorious Goodwood. Haggas entered the St Leger over the extended distance of one mile and three‑quarters, where Infraad, partnered by Tom Marquand, faced joint‑favourite Limestone, trained by Joseph O'Brien. Infraad proved the better stayer, pulling clear in the final furlong to win by two lengths, with the staying‑on Galilean Quality a further two lengths back and Limestone fading to fifth.
Haggas praised the colt's progress, saying, "He's improving but still raw. He was a bit juvenile before the race and a little edgy, so there's still a lot to learn. Tom said he's relentless once he gets going, and he won comfortably." Despite the victory, Haggas cautioned against pushing the horse too quickly toward the season's final Classic.
Bookmakers have already cut Infraad's odds for the St Leger from 16/1 to 8/1, but the trainer believes the race may come too early in the colt's development. He recalled a similar situation with Guaranteel, a Highclere‑trained horse that won the St Leger after a rapid rise but proved unsuited to the demands of the race. Haggas suggested that Infraad might be better placed for the Noel Murless at Ascot, emphasizing a long‑term approach: "I don't like putting a gun to their heads 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 expect he'll develop into a true Cup horse with time." Overall, the day underscored the depth of talent across British racing, from established Group One winners like Notable Speech to emerging prospects such as Infraad. With the Breeders' Cup on the horizon and the classic season still unfolding, fans can look forward to more compelling narratives as connections balance ambition with the careful stewardship of their equine athletes.