Notable Speech thrills again with sensational G1 Lockinge Stakes win

Notable Speech once again demonstrated his explosive turn of foot as he stormed to a fifth G1 victory in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, UK, on Saturday, 16 May. 

Godolphin horses had already won the mile highlight a record nine times, with current Darley stallions Farhh, Night Of Thunder and Modern Games on the roll of honour, although none came into the race with as decorated a profile as Notable Speech. 

The 2024 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner, who was also crowned Champion Male Turf Horse in North America last season, found plenty of cover in sixth as Mississippi River led the 10-strong field up the centre of the course. 

William Buick looked set to track Zeus Olympios and The Lion In Winter towards the far rail but switched Notable Speech back inside approaching the final quarter-mile to follow Damysus into the race. 

Notable Speech produced a stunning burst of speed to go from fifth to first in a matter of strides entering the final furlong, with the Charlie Appleby-trained son of Dubawi streaking clear to score by an easy two lengths. 

More Thunder made late inroads to take second, with fellow Night Of Thunder colt Zeus Olympios finishing third to complete a clean sweep for the Dubawi sireline. 

Charlie Appleby said: “I have to thank the team for allowing us to keep Notable Speech in training, which can be a big ask with these five-year-olds. We wanted the horse to show what he has got and today you saw the real Notable Speech. 

“I said to Will that he was moving around a bit, but he said the pace was collapsing all around him. We know you have to hold on to that acceleration for as long as you can because the horse has some turn of foot. 

“They went an even gallop, nothing mad, and I was happy with that because there are not many horses who can quicken like he can. I thought that, if it was going to turn into a burn up over the last couple of furlongs, Will is on the right horse to do so. 

“Will knows him and has all the confidence in him – and I have confidence in both of them. I always say to Will that you will either be the hero or the villain, but just sit and sit, and when you want to go, sit again, before letting him off. 

“I would like to thank the team at home. Colm O’Donoghue rides Notable Speech and said he is in the form of his life, plus all the guys around the horse who do such a fantastic job. I am delighted for them, but more importantly I am delighted for the horse. 

“The Queen Anne Stakes will be the next step.” 

William Buick said: “I take my hat off to Charlie because this is a great training performance. When Notable Speech went to America last month, it was a nightmare from start to finish. He never got any sort of chance to show what he can do, although as frustrating as it was, we knew he would come here in good shape. 

“The race fell apart in front of me a little too early, so I wanted to pick a horse that I could follow for a bit longer. I thought James [Doyle] was going pretty well, so I switched Notable Speech in behind him, and then it was time to go. 

“Notable Speech is so explosive. He is an absolute top-class miler. He has done it across the Atlantic as well as here and has a super temperament to go with it.”