Notable Speech delivered a commanding performance in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday, securing his fifth Group 1 win and cementing his future as a stallion. The 2-1 favourite tracked the pace comfortably under William Buick before quickening clear from the three-furlong marker to defeat More Thunder by two lengths.

Turn of Foot Proves Decisive

The 2000 Guineas winner from two seasons ago had not been seen since a luckless placing at Keeneland, having closed his previous campaign with victory in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Buick positioned the five-year-old perfectly throughout the Group 1 contest, picking off rivals systematically once pressing the button.

Charlie Appleby highlighted the colt's acceleration as the decisive factor. He noted that few horses possess comparable turn of foot, adding that if the race developed into a sustained battle over the final two furlongs, Buick was partnering the right horse.

Appleby credited Buick's tactical nous and the understanding between horse and rider. He explained that his instructions to Buick centered on patience, urging the jockey to delay his challenge until the final moment. The trainer also praised the work of his Moulton Paddocks team, particularly work rider Colm O'Donoghue, who had reported the horse in career-best form ahead of the race.

Queen Anne Next on Agenda

Appleby confirmed Notable Speech will target the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next month. The trainer suggested last year's unlucky Queen Anne effort would have yielded a much closer result with the benefit of current knowledge about the horse's capabilities.

The Lockinge victory represented a significant boost for Appleby, who had endured a lean spell before registering a double at Newmarket on Friday. Notable Speech's performance at Newbury delivered what Appleby described as a stallion-making win.

Image Notable Speech, Breeders Cup