Notable Speech hopes to follow the same path as Modern Games in the Lockinge Stakes

The Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) champion tops a high-class renewal that also features Damysus, Zeus Olympios, and The Lion In Winter among his rivals

NEWBURY, England (Special to Turf Diario).- The powerful Godolphin operation will once again take a major swing at the Lockinge Stakes (G1-1600m, turf), this time with one of its premier international stars: Notable Speech.

The 2025 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) champion was confirmed for Saturday’s feature at Newbury, where trainer Charlie Appleby will attempt to replicate a formula that brought him tremendous success just three seasons ago.

Back in 2023, Appleby followed the exact same route with Modern Games (Dubawi): a seasonal debut in the Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland followed by victory in the Lockinge.

Now, he hopes Notable Speech can follow the same script.

The son of Dubawi returned to action April 10 in the Maker’s Mark Mile, where he finished fourth after encountering several traffic issues while sent off favorite.

Far from causing concern, the effort appears to have served as the ideal stepping stone toward Newbury—precisely what happened with Modern Games before his Lockinge triumph.

Notable Speech also arrives backed by a brilliant campaign that earned him the Eclipse Award as Champion Turf Male, cementing his status as one of the world’s leading milers.

One of the most intriguing names among the final entries is Damysus. The Wathnan Racing representative will attempt to secure a fourth consecutive victory while seeking his breakthrough at the Grade 1 level.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the son of Frankel created a major impression when capturing the Earl of Sefton Stakes (G3) at Newmarket.

The Lockinge will mark only his second appearance at the elite level following a forgettable last-place finish in last year’s Epsom Derby (G1), although he now appears to be a completely different horse.

The Gosden stable also boasts a formidable recent record in this race, having won three of the last six editions.

Another major focus will fall on Zeus Olympios (Night of Thunder), who recently lost his unbeaten record when third behind Opera Ballo (Ghaiyyath) in the Sandown Mile Stakes (G2).

Still, trainer Karl Burke believes that comeback effort will serve as an important fitness builder and expects significant improvement.

Also confirmed was Cicero’s Gift (Muhaarar), fourth at Sandown after stunning many observers last season in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1).

As is so often the case in Europe’s major races, Aidan O’Brien will send a powerful contingent.

The Irish trainer ultimately left two runners in the race, headed by The Lion In Winter (Sea the Stars), who will have Ryan Moore aboard. The stable’s second representative will be Mississippi River (Lope de Vega), considered one of the outsiders in the early betting.

The 2026 Lockinge promises to be a tremendous renewal.

In addition to champion Notable Speech, French challenger Sahlan (Wootton Bassett) will line up once again against the Godolphin star after finishing fifth behind him in the most recent Breeders’ Cup Mile.

The runner trained by Francis-Henri Graffard will attempt to become the first French-trained winner of the Lockinge since Keltos (Kendor) in 2002.

Also set to participate are Dancing Gemini (Camelot), runner-up in last year’s edition; Jonquil (Lope de Vega) for Andrew Balding; and the consistent More Thunder (Night of Thunder), trained by William Haggas.

With a lineup of this quality, Newbury once again promises to become the center of the European racing world.