By Sam Turner -
Godolphin enjoyed 2000 Guineas glory as the Charlie Appleby-trained Notable Speech produced a sparkling turn of foot to land the first colts’ Classic of the season at Newmarket.
Partnered by William Buick, himself claiming a first success in the marquee event, the three-time Kempton scorer translated his synthetic surface form to turf seamlessly, moving into contention entering the Dip travelling powerfully as hot favourite City Of Troy tamely dropped away in disappointing fashion.
At that point, the unbeaten son of Dubawi faced another rival moving sweetly in the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum-owned Rosallion who looked to have every chance under Sean Levey.
However, once Buick gave his mount the office, Notable Speech stretched readily clear of Rosallion to score comfortably by a length-and-a-quarter with Craven Stakes winner Haatem taking third to hand trainer Richard Hannon with a 2-3.
The previously unbeaten Ghostwriter was another to run with credit to take fourth, while Inisherin outran market expectations to claim fifth in the colours of Sheikh Obaid.
It was a second success in the race for Appleby who was understandably enthused to welcome another Classic winner.
“I’m delighted, but firstly many congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and all at Team Godolphin,” he said.
“This horse has got his little idiosyncrasies, and he keeps himself to himself most days, but he just has that little switch which means the smallest little thing can sometimes set him off.
“I was delighted how he pre-paraded and he looked a picture in the paddock. William (Buick) went out and rode him with the confidence that he felt he had in the horse, and we saw the result.”
Appleby continued: “His performances on the all-weather were on the all-weather and you wouldn’t normally see a horse coming straight into a Classic with that profile.
“However, his last start produced a little bit of a ‘wow factor’ with his acceleration and the speed figures stacked up so therefore William was very complimentary of him.
“He felt he could be a French Guineas horse at that point with his turn of foot suited to that race but as we watched the Trials come and go, we made the call that we would have a crack at the English Guineas with him.
“We bought him up for a racecourse gallop and we brought a decent lead horse, so he got a good racecourse experience, and we came here with more confidence.”
“A GREAT HORSE”
For his part, Buick labelled Notable Speech “a great horse” after landing his first 2000 Guineas win at the 14th time of asking.
He said: “It was a tough race but I’m glad we came here. It’s amazing. I’ve finished second twice so I know how it feels to go back in having not won it - I’ve never had a ride like him ever before. I’m over the moon.
“It’s a huge team effort for this horse to come here today. I’m delighted for myself but I’m also delighted for everyone who’s involved with the horse.
“Notable Speech is a great horse. He’s a proper miler and he’s certainly the fastest miler I’ve ever ridden - I think he can do things other horses can’t with his turn of foot.
“We’ll see where he goes next. All the top mile races will be on his agenda I would assume.”
Referring to the fact Notable Speech had never even raced on turf before, he went on: “He took a different route into the Guineas but Charlie, the team and myself had a lot of belief in him and he’s just a great horse. He did everything right today. Not just for myself but for everyone, he looked impressive.
“It was a great performance from the horse. He’s a real jockey’s dream and I’m absolutely delighted.”
Asked if he is a late bloomer, Buick went on: “I would say so. I rode him in February on a cold winter’s night at Kempton. I thought then he was pretty good and he’s done nothing but improve since.
“It just shows you that if a horse has the engine and the will then they can do it and that’s exactly what he has. It’s a great training performance by everybody and he’s a homebred for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed as well, so it’s special.”
Asked where racing fans might see him next, he added: “I haven’t really spoken to Charlie (Appleby, trainer) or anybody about that yet so we’ll just soak it up now I guess. But I would say his route would be fairly well mapped out.
“I’m not sure if he’d be going to the Irish Guineas but I’m sure they’ll be thinking about the St James’s Palace and those kinds of races. He’s a proper miler.”
RESULT
- Notable Speech (C. Appleby/W. Buick
- Rosallion (R. Hannon/S. Levey
- Haatem (R. Hannon/J. Doyle
Time: 1:37:21
