Talk Of New York was the talk of Newmarket on the Rowley Mile, where he lined up opposite Rebel's Romance's brother Fortitudine in a high‑profile double for trainer Charlie Appleby. The colt, already well‑regarded after finishing third in the St James's Palace Stakes behind Bow Echo and Gstaad, entered the Betway Joel Stakes as the 4‑9 favourite despite a disappointing run at Goodwood earlier in the season.
From the start, Talk Of New York settled near the stands side, a familiar position for him, and as the field turned into the home straight he surged forward under jockey William Buick. In the final furlong he accelerated with authority, pulling away to win by four and three‑quarter lengths, a dominant performance that left the spectators buzzing. Appleby, who has been on a roll lately, praised the colt after the race: "After what he did in the St James's Palace we came here with confidence, and we knew we had to erase the Goodwood result. It was simply one of those days where everything clicked, and we have seen that before.
His preparation for this race looked solid, and the win confirms it. We often use the excuse of a dip in form when a horse is beaten, but I could not make that argument today." Looking ahead, Appleby hinted that Talk Of New York could be supplemented for a major feature at Qatar Racing British Champions Day, although he believes the horse's true destiny lies in the following season. He expects the colt to take on the mantle of Notable Speech in the mile division, targeting races such as the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. "I'm not committing to the QEII yet, but it's on the table and we could consider a supplemental entry," Appleby said.
"William and I discussed the ground in France for the Prix Daniel Wildenstein, but if we win the Joel comfortably, the QEII becomes a realistic option. A bit of softer ground would suit him; he's a sizable horse who hits the ground hard. I'm not planning a Breeders' Cup this year, but I'm already mapping a path for next year's event." Appleby's afternoon improved further when Fortitudine, the brother of Talk Of New York, was backed to 15‑8 favourite and secured a third consecutive win in the Betway Godolphin Stakes. The victory adds a Listed win to his record and opens the possibility of a trip to Dubai after a brief break.
"Our plan was always to get him out there and see what he can do," Appleby explained. "He learned his basics at Kempton, and today he took the lead early. Half a mile out you could see the field closing in, yet he dropped his head and accelerated again—perhaps even twice.
He's a small, delicate horse who thrives with individual care, and his ability to sustain a gallop is his biggest asset. We'll give him a rest and then consider the City of Gold over a slick mile and a half in Dubai. William keeps drawing parallels with his brother, and that could guide our future decisions." In other racing news, Pensando A Te produced a dramatic late surge at Newmarket to deny Light Of Dawn the Betway Rockfel Stakes. The Karl Burke‑trained Light Of Dawn, a 5‑2 favourite after a Group Three Prestige Stakes win at Goodwood, was expected to dominate the Group Two contest.
However, Marco Botti’s two‑year‑old, ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, lingered at the back before launching a flying finish that clinched the race by a short head. De Sousa recounted a slow start that forced him to settle his mount toward the rear of the nine‑runner field, conserving energy for a finishing run.
As the leaders, Speed Of Sound and Light Of Dawn, contested the lead in the final stages, Pensando A Te surged forward, overtaking Light Of Dawn just before the line. Botti praised his filly, saying, "It's always rewarding when a juvenile shows improvement late in the season.
We thought we might be pushing her a bit early, but she has developed nicely. At Ascot she handled a small field well, and today we aimed to settle her before delivering a late run. I didn’t expect she’d get there, but she proved she could.
She’s a promising filly for next year." Light Of Dawn, racing in Wathnan Racing colours, managed to hold on for second place, narrowly beating Ruby Moon. Racing adviser Richard Brown lauded her effort, noting that trainer James Doyle felt she wasn’t entirely comfortable on the ground, yet she fought back valiantly. "She ran a brilliant race, almost pulling it off.
We'll give her a break now and consider a mile campaign next year, perhaps targeting the French Guineas," Brown added. These performances illustrate the depth of talent currently circulating in British flat racing, with trainers like Appleby, Burke, and Botti shaping the next generation of champions. As the season progresses, fans can anticipate further intrigue as connections weigh options for classic trials, international campaigns, and the ever‑prestigious British Champions Day. The strategic decisions made now—whether to supplement a horse for a major race, aim for a specific ground condition, or plan a future Breeders' Cup appearance—will shape the narrative of the upcoming racing calendar and keep enthusiasts engaged throughout the summer and beyond.