Notable Speech returned to Woodbine to repeat history
The 2025 American champion turf male captured the Woodbine Mile (G1) for the second consecutive year, repelling Deterministic—who entered on a six-race winning streak—by 1 1/4 lengths; just like twelve months ago, he will now target the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1)
TORONTO, Canada (Special for Turf Diario).— Notable Speech seems to have found North America to be the ideal stage to showcase his finest form. The 2025 champion turf male returned this Saturday to Woodbine and, just as he did twelve months ago, captured the Woodbine Mile (G1-1600m, turf), taking another flawless step toward the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1)—a crown he will also attempt to defend this coming October 31 at Keeneland.
The race carried special intrigue due to the clash with Deterministic (Liam's Map), indisputably one of the marquee names on American turf in recent times. The Miguel Clement trainee arrived backed by a six-race winning streak—four of them at the G1 level—and sold his defeat dearly, but ultimately ran into the formidable turn of foot of the Godolphin representative.
William Buick had to exercise far more patience than desired aboard Notable Speech. Deterministic, ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, seized the lead and dictated the pace through fractions of 24s36/100, 47s89/100, and 1m10s73/100, while the favorite rated close behind, locked in tight quarters between rivals.
Even as they entered the final 600 meters, the scenario for the son of Dubawi appeared far from clear. He could find no room to accelerate while Deterministic continued to travel comfortably on the front end.
However, a seam materialized entering the home straight, and Buick did not hesitate. Notable Speech responded instantly, found clear daylight, and launched the devastating closing kick that has delivered so much success throughout his career. Deterministic tried to fight back, but the champion ultimately wore him down to score by 1 1/4 lengths, stopping the clock in 1m33s86/100 over firm turf. Gas Me Up (Hard Spun) finished third, another 2 1/4 lengths further back.
“He is a very brave horse and William knows him inside out. Deterministic had things pretty easy up front, but once he got daylight he showed that turn of foot he possesses,” explained Alex Merriam, assistant to trainer Charlie Appleby.
The victory reignited a blueprint that Godolphin and Appleby know by heart. In 2025, Notable Speech arrived in Canada after finishing second in the French Prix Jacques Le Marois (G1), won the Woodbine Mile, and then traveled to Del Mar to claim the Breeders' Cup Mile—a campaign that ultimately secured him the Eclipse Award as champion turf male in the United States. Now, he will look to repeat that exact same path.
The Woodbine Mile forms part of the Win and You're In program, meaning the victory automatically secured him a fully funded berth into the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland.
Completing such a double would be nothing new for Appleby and Godolphin. Prior to Notable Speech, they had already accomplished it with Modern Games (Dubawi) in 2022 and Master of The Seas (Dubawi) in 2023, establishing a remarkable hegemony across two of the most prestigious mile events in North America.
For Notable Speech, who entered off a decisive victory in the City of York Stakes (G1) over 1400 meters, this marked his tenth victory in 19 career starts, elevating his earnings past the 4.4 million dollar mark.
Deterministic lost his undefeated record for 2026 and saw an extraordinary streak come to an end, yet his performance could hardly be deemed a disappointment. He made all the running and only succumbed to a horse that once again demonstrated why he carries the mantle of champion.
Notable Speech has already repeated the first half of the story. Now, at Keeneland, he will aim to complete the déjà vu.
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