Notable Speech Makes Himself Heard Again With Woodbine Mile Victory

The Godolphin star dazzled in Canada and secured his spot in the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile this November at Del Mar

Notable Speech and His Class Prove Far Too Much for Rivals / WOODBINE

TORONTO, Canadá (Special for Turf Diario).- The brilliance of Notable Speech (Dubawi) was on full display in Canada Saturday as the Godolphin homebred stamped his class yet again with a decisive score in the GI Rogers Woodbine Mile, securing a berth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar through the “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series.

Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, the chestnut went postward a heavy 2-5 favorite and did not disappoint. Despite a slightly troubled start that left him boxed in along the rail on the first turn, Buick never panicked, allowing his mount to relax in mid-pack before angling out for running room.

Up front, My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince) showed the way, tracked closely by Gas Me Up (Hard Spun) through splits of :23.31 and :47.33. Notable Speech, traveling comfortably, found daylight with 300 meters to run and unleashed his trademark turn of foot to settle matters swiftly, drawing clear by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:35.33 over firm turf. My Boy Prince held second, Gas Me Up was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third, and longshot Naptown (Munnings) rounded out the superfecta.

“This inner turf course changes the whole dynamic of a race, and I knew I had to keep my position,” said Buick. “He’s an experienced, courageous horse, and once he found his rhythm, he was always going to win well before the wire.”

The victory marked a third consecutive Woodbine Mile for the Appleby-Buick-Godolphin team, following Modern Games (Dubawi) in 2022 and Master of the Seas (Dubawi) in 2023.

For the 4-year-old out of an Invincible Spirit mare, it was another milestone in an already distinguished career. Winner of the G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Sussex S. in 2024, he also finished third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar. Most recently, he was a close second—beaten just a head by Diego Velázquez (Frankel)—in the G1 Prix Jacques le Maroisat Deauville.

“He’s a very special horse for the whole organization, from Sheikh Mohammed down,” said assistant trainer Alex Merriam. “He’d had a bit of bad luck this year, so it’s great to see him get another G1 on his résumé.”

Now boasting a record of 6-1-1 from 13 starts, Notable Speech will head to Del Mar with ticket in hand and every expectation of making his presence felt in the Breeders’ Cup Mile Nov. 1.