Notable Speech Seeks Redemption and a Full-Circle Moment for Godolphin in the Mile

The Charlie Appleby trainee will look to restore glory to the Godolphin blue, while Johannes bids farewell and the home team pins its hopes on Rhetorical and Formidable Man—with the Chilean Gran Oriente carrying South America’s banner

Gran Oriente, Chilean-Bred and South America’s Hope in the Mile / BREEDERS' CUP

By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario at Del Mar, California)

DEL MAR, California — One year after seeing their winning streak broken in the world’s great mile, Godolphin, Charlie Appleby, William Buick, and the brilliant Dubawi return to the spotlight determined to reclaim the crown in the GI FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile, one of Saturday’s marquee races at Del Mar.

The mission’s standard-bearer is Notable Speech, who finished third last year behind More Than Looks (More Than Ready) and Johannes (Nyquist), ending a three-year Godolphin reign in the Mile. This time, the chestnut returns more mature, battle-tested, and carefully prepared for redemption.

Trainer Appleby chose an unconventional path to California, sending his colt to the GI Woodbine Mile in September, where the son of Dubawi impressed with a strong, late-charging victory.

“We wanted to give him confidence with a win and, at the same time, experience over a tighter course similar to Del Mar,” explained Appleby. “He accomplished both, and he’s arriving at the top of his game.”

Earlier in the year, Notable Speech had alternated between good and unlucky efforts against Europe’s best, including defeats to Docklands (Massaat) and Big Rock (Rock of Gibraltar). But his triumph in Canada reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the premier milers in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s worth noting that two of Appleby’s three previous Mile winners—Modern Games (2022) and Master of the Seas (2023)—followed the same route from Woodbine to Breeders’ Cup glory.

Still, the European star will have no easy task. France’s Sahlan, a 3-year-old colt trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, arrives in peak form after defeating Rosallion (Blue Point) and The Lion in Winter (Sea The Stars) in the GI Prix du Moulin. A son of the late Wootton Bassett (GB), Sahlan has shown elite ability since the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (G1) and looms a major threat if he maintains that level.

Among the Americans, attention centers on Johannes, the brave son of Nyquist who will retire to stud at Claiborne Farm following Saturday’s race. Runner-up in this event last year, he returns in winning form after capturing the GII City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita, and his team is confident he can finish his racing career with a flourish.

The home contingent also features two rising stars: Rhetorical (Not This Time), the fast-improving New York-bred with five wins from six starts—including the GI Coolmore Turf Mile, where he defeated the ultra-consistent Program Trading (Lope de Vega)—and Formidable Man (City of Light), undefeated in six starts over Del Mar’s Jimmy Durante Turf Course, representing the local hopes.

Adding an international dimension, Chile’s Gran Oriente (Classic Empire) will make his U.S. debut as South America’s flag-bearer, while Qirat (Showcasing), who once stole the GI Sussex Stakes as a pacemaker, adds further intrigue to a deep lineup.

History, rivalry, and world-class talent converge once again in an electrifying edition of the Breeders’ Cup Mile, where Europe and the United States renew their classic turf duel. With Notable Speech seeking redemption, Sahlan chasing glory, and Johannes bidding farewell, Del Mar’s mile is set to deliver another unforgettable chapter.