The City of York Stakes (G1) Aug. 22 at York Racecourse, the only group 1 over 7 furlongs in Britain, has attracted a stellar field, which has been made that bit more intriguing by the inclusion of Notable Speech.
Godolphin's 5-year-old has run over shorter than a mile in just one of his 17 starts and that was when he finished fifth in last year's July Cup Stakes (G1) over 6 furlongs. So the big question is how he will fare over this intermediate trip.
He showed plenty of pace in the July Cup, a race run at a fast gallop. He covered the first 3 furlongs quicker than all bar Night Raider, and yet still did best not only of those closest to the speed but also of all those who raced toward the near side. Clearly, he has the speed.
Every other start has been over a mile and he has won eight times, notably creating a slice of history when landing the Lockinge Stakes (G1) in May at Newbury Racecourse to become the first Two Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1) winner to win as a 5-year-old since Island Sands a quarter of a century ago.
Notable Speech looked better than ever that day, traveling strongly before showing what has become a customary change of gear to clear away impressively.
Backing up the speed he showed in the July Cup, he managed to run three of his last 4 furlongs quicker than Carnarvon Stakes winner Song of the Clyde on the same card, despite his race being run over 2 furlongs farther and at a much better pace.
Notable Speech won in a better furlong-by-furlong time than that sprint, too, and achieved the best Topspeed figure (111) he has ever produced.
That victory was also a career best on Racing Post Ratings (126), which puts him 4 pounds clear of the field when accounting for weight concessions. Although that was on a straight track, his three other group/grade 1 successes since the 2024 Guineas all came round a bend and he achieved his three previous best RPRs, so the track configuration will not be a problem.
It is easy to ignore his disappointment in the 2025 Queen Anne Stakes (G1), as that was not the first time he had run well below his best at Ascot Racecourse, and he commands the utmost respect, given he has the speed to cope with the drop in trip, will be suited by going round a bend, and trainer Charlie Appleby is in top form (has won with six of his last 12 runners).
Appleby said: "Notable Speech is in great shape. I'd rather be drawn in stall 1 than out wide, while dropping back to 7 furlongs doesn't worry me at all.
"The one thing we'll be keeping half an eye on is the weather as he's a quick-ground horse. Good ground will be fine, but if there's any soft in the going, there'll be a question mark over whether he'll run. Hopefully conditions will be fine and he can take his chance."
Zavateri, who won the 2025 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1) with cut underfoot last year, is a big player down in trip following a good effort in the Sussex Stakes (G1) after a break, while Ten Bob Tony, Rogue Diplomat, Flora of Bermuda, and Marvelman will all enjoy the conditions and add to the fierce opposition to Notable Speech.
