- Notable Speech triumphed in the 2000 Guineas in May but was under scrutiny
- The horse had a lackluster showing at Royal Ascot before the Sussex Stakes
- Nevertheless, it delivered an outstanding performance on Wednesday, leaving Buick overjoyed
William Buick couldn’t hide his joy, and rightly so, as his faith in a remarkable horse was emphatically justified.
Notable Speech, the winner of the 2000 Guineas in May, arrived at Goodwood needing to prove itself after a disappointing outing at Royal Ascot in June.
Buick had been concerned that his assertion two months ago about Notable Speech being the fastest miler he had ever ridden might backfire, but those worries were unfounded.
Goodwood, known for its Festival of Speed, saw Notable Speech showcase a performance worthy of a Formula One engine. The surge in the final furlong to overtake his four opponents left spectators in awe.
‘It takes your breath away,’ exclaimed a thrilled Buick. ‘I feel lucky to hold the position (as Godolphin’s stable jockey), but this is what we strive for – the significant days. This is how we attract new audiences to racing.’
William Buick was left elated at Goodwood on Wednesday after Notable Speech earned a win
There were questions aimed at Notable Speech after the horse struggled at Royal Ascot
But it put on a show on Wednesday, beating the likes of favourite Henry Longfellow in the race
Indeed, Notable Speech began the race at 3/1, just behind Henry Longfellow, who was the favorite following Rosallion’s last-minute withdrawal, yet there was never a moment in this illustrious event when it appeared he couldn’t claim victory. He moved effortlessly.
The excitement stemmed from how Notable Speech, under Charlie Appleby, surged ahead of runner-up Maljoom as soon as Buick released the reins. Buick, usually not one to make extravagant claims, felt emboldened this time.
‘I rode in Kingman’s Sussex when he won (in 2014),’ Buick recounted. ‘There were only four runners, but seeing him accelerate from behind was simply incredible.’
‘Being on this horse may cloud my judgment, but he performed similarly. It was instantaneous. In such a high-stakes race with the pace they were already going, to find another gear or even two? That’s extraordinary.’
‘I took a bold stance after Newmarket regarding him, and after Ascot, we needed to regroup. But here we are again. This is our version of Wimbledon, the Ryder Cup, and the Champions League. This represents the pinnacle of our sport.’
