Notable Speech storms to the front over Deterministic to take the Woodbine Mile, Michael Burns Photo
Chris Lemon
TORONTO – Notable Speech (GB), the 5-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE) out of the Invincible Spirit (IRE) mare Swift Rose (IRE), powered home with authority to defend his title in Saturday’s $1 million Woodbine Mile (G1T), part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” program.
Trained by Charles Appleby for owner and breeder Godolphin, the chestnut colt, under William Buick, the 3-5 choice, was looking to join Wise Dan (2012-13) as the only two-time winner in the turf classic’s history.
He was up for the challenge.
Deterministic, riding a six-race win streak, broke sharply from the rail and was sent to the early lead, while Gas Me Up nestled into second along the rail, followed by Silius (IRE), Pierre, Notable Speech (GB) and Itsastormymonday.
It was Deterministic, making his first start outside of the U.S., on top by two lengths over Gas Me Up through a tepid opening quarter in :24.36, with Gas Me up and Silius (IRE), positioned second and third, respectively, while Buick and Notable Speech (GB), unhurried in fifth, settled into stride along the backstretch.
Deterministic continued to control the tempo through a half in :47.89, holding a 1 ½-length advantage over Gas Me Up. Notable Speech (GB), still under a patient hand from Buick, maintained his spot in fifth behind the multiple graded stakes-winning pacesetter.
Buick began to plot his gameplan from the two-path heading into the turn and the 1,440-foot journey from upper stretch to the wire. The pair found daylight five-wide after straightening for home and took direct aim at Deterministic. With under 150 yards to go, Notable Speech (GB) stormed to the front on his way to a 1 ¼-length victory. Deterministic was second, followed by Gas Me Up and Itsastormymonday. Archivist (GB) and Irish Aces were scratched.
The final time over a firm E.P. Taylor turf was 1:33.86.
“They were kind of all in the line a little bit, and I was looking to follow Deterministic, and that spot just wasn’t available,” said Buick, who teamed earlier in the card with Appleby, Godolphin and Al Hudaiba (GB) to win the Summer Stakes (GIT), also a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In” event.
“So, I took the next best spot. He’s a horse with a turn of foot, so I wasn’t really that worried. The only thing is that you just make sure we’ve got some running room in the top of the straight. But they were just coming a little bit from the outside. But he’s a brave horse, and he’s a very good horse. He shows his turn of foot.”
It was the fourth Woodbine Mile trophy for the trio of Buick, Appleby and Godolphin, who teamed to win the 2022 edition with Modern Games (IRE) and the 2023 running with Master of the Seas (IRE).
With Saturday’s win, Notable Speech (GB), now 10-1-1 from 19 starts, earns automatic entry and an opportunity to defend his title in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) at Keeneland on Oct 31.
He will be retired to the Darley stallion roster at the end of 2026.
“He’s just a very classy horse, and he’s got a great racing brain to go with it,” praised Buick, of the horse whose résumé includes an Eclipse Award as the 2025 Champion Turf Male. “He’s an incredible horse, really.”
Notable Speech (GB) paid $3.40 for the
