Statement made: Notable Speech (GB) powers to Rogers Woodbine Mile win

September 13, 2025

TORONTO, September 13, 2025 – Notable Speech (GB), a 4-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE) out of the Invincible Spirit (IRE) mare Swift Rose (IRE), rallied determinedly to win Saturday’s $1 million Rogers Woodbine Mile (G1T), part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” program.

Trained by Charles Appleby for owner-breeder Godolphin, the chestnut colt, under William Buick, was sent on his way as the 2-5 choice in the turf classic.

While it wasn’t the smoothest of journeys early, it ended with an outstanding triumph, courtesy of a tremendous turn of foot in the latter stages of what was the North American debut of Notable Speech (GB).

My Boy Prince broke alertly and took the early lead, while Gas Me Up settled into second. Notable Speech (GB), who had a tardy start, then had to contend with a traffic jam heading into the first turn as he raced along the inside.

It was My Boy Prince on top by two lengths over Gas Me Up through an opening quarter in :23.31, followed by Stanley House and Wyoming Bill, while Buick positioned Notable Speech (GB) into fifth of nine.

My Boy Prince was still calling the shots through a half in :47.33, maintaining his two-length advantage over Gas Me Up. Notable Speech (GB), now sixth, remained under a patient hand from Buick, looking for the right moment to call upon his charge for his best run.

That would come 300 yards from home, as Notable Speech (GB), unfettered on both sides, kicked into gear and began to pick off his rivals, en route to an emphatic 1 ¾-length score. My Boy Prince was second, 1 ¾ lengths clear of Gas Me Up. Naptown, at 98-1, was fourth.

The final time over firm inner turf was 1:35.33.

“Obviously, we're on the inside track for these races,” said Buick. “So, it changed the dynamics a lot, and I think our horses find it challenging. So, I was not going to give up my position on Notable Speech (GB). And he's an experienced horse, so I knew I could do that with him. And he had to be brave for a little bit there, but he was, and once he got into that position, he relaxed beautifully, and he got into nice rhythm. And he was, for me, he was winning from a long way out.”

It was the third Woodbine Mile crown for the top-shelf trio of Buick, trainer Charlie Appleby and owner Godolphin, who teamed to win the 2022 edition with Modern Games (IRE) and the 2023 running with Master of the Seas (IRE).

“He's a special horse for everyone in Godolphin, from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, all the way down,” said assistant trainer Alex Merriam. “He's been a bit unfortunate this season. It's nice to get a group one by his name this season.”

The colt contested the first 10 races of his career at the one-mile distance, winning the 2000 Guineas (G1T) and the Sussex Stakes (G1T) at that distance in 2024 during his 3-year-old campaign, before closing out his campaign with a third-place finish, beaten just three-quarters of a length, in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) last November 2 at Del Mar.

In his race prior to the Woodbine Mile, on August 17 at Deauville in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1T), Notable Speech (GB) rallied stoutly from the back of the 11-horse field to finish a head shy of Diego Velázquez (IRE) in the one-mile fixture.

With Saturday’s win, Notable Speech (GB), now 6-1-1 from 13 starts, earns a fees-paid berth to run in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar on November 1.

“Look, he ran a solid race last year,” said Merriam, of the colt’s third-place finish, less than a length back of the winner, in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile. “I think the experience from going there and coming here again, hopefully sharpening up on the two turns, and he shouldn't be too far away.”

Notable Speech (GB) paid $2.80 for today’s win.

Chris Lomon, Woodbine