A roar went through the Woodbine crowd as Charles Appleby’s chestnut colt, Notable Speech (GB), surged past his rivals to claim Saturday’s $1 million Rogers Woodbine Mile (G1T). William Buick, aboard for the first time in North America, couldn’t hide a smile as the 4-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE) stretched his stride to perfection, while assistant trainer Alex Merriam shared a quiet, proud nod on the sidelines.
The race began in dramatic fashion. My Boy Prince jumped alertly to the front, leading Gas Me Up by two lengths through a swift opening quarter in :23.31. Notable Speech (GB), slightly slow from the gate, found himself hemmed in along the inside rail, patiently awaiting his moment. Through the half-mile mark in :47.33, the chestnut colt remained sixth, but Buick’s calm hand kept him poised.
With 300 yards to go, Notable Speech (GB) found space and exploded with a breathtaking turn of foot. He overtook one rival after another, ultimately winning by 1 ¾ lengths over the game My Boy Prince, who held second ahead of Gas Me Up. The 98-1 outsider Naptown claimed a surprising fourth. The firm inner turf yielded a final time of 1:35.33.
Buick reflected, “I wasn’t going to give up my position on Notable Speech (GB). He’s an experienced horse, and once he relaxed, he got into a beautiful rhythm. I knew we were winning from a long way out.”
The victory marks the third Woodbine Mile title for the Appleby-Buick-Godolphin combination, following successes with Modern Games (IRE) in 2022 and Master of the Seas (IRE) in 2023. Merriam added, “He’s been a bit unfortunate this season. It’s wonderful to see him get a Group One under his name.”
Notable Speech (GB) has consistently excelled over a mile, capturing the 2000 Guineas (G1T) and Sussex Stakes (G1T) at three. He closed his 2024 campaign with a narrow third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar and returned from a strong runner-up finish in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1T) at Deauville just a month ago.
With this triumph, Notable Speech (GB) earns a fees-paid berth to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar on November 1, setting the stage for another transatlantic challenge.
Race Finish (Top 4):
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Notable Speech (GB) – William Buick – Charles Appleby
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My Boy Prince
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Gas Me Up
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Naptown (98-1)
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