Buick was full of praise for Notable Speech following his victory
William Buick was full of praise for Notable Speech, drawing comparisons between his Qatar Sussex Stakes victory and the pinnacle of sporting excellence.
Charlie Appleby’s Dubawi colt took an unconventional route to the 2000 Guineas, running three times on the all-weather at Kempton and arriving at Newmarket without ever having raced on turf. Despite this, Buick had faith in his mount, viewing him as a significant threat despite his 16-1 odds.
Buick’s confidence proved justified when Notable Speech won the Guineas by a length and a half from Rosallion. However, their subsequent meeting in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot saw Rosallion emerge as the standout performer, with Notable Speech finishing a disappointing seventh. This unexpected outcome left both Buick and Appleby puzzled, as no clear reason emerged for the horse's underperformance.
As they prepared for a rematch in the Sussex Stakes, a respiratory infection sidelined Rosallion, missing out on the anticipated clash. Nevertheless, Buick was impressed by Notable Speech’s length-and-a-half victory over Maljoom, considering it a remarkable sporting achievement.
Buick remarked that he rode Kingman in the Sussex Stakes when the horse won in 2014. Despite the race featuring only four runners, Kingman's acceleration from behind was extraordinary. While he hesitates to compare horses directly, Buick found Notable Speech’s performance to be equally impressive, noting the rarity of finding another gear in such a high-paced race.
He continued, stating that witnessing such performances is breathtaking. He feels fortunate to be in his position, acknowledging that moments like these are what make the job worthwhile.
Buick views Notable Speech’s triumph as a significant showcase of racing's appeal, drawing parallels to the excitement of Olympic events in Paris. He noted that exceptional performances from top horses are key to attracting new fans to the sport. Despite the setback at Ascot, Buick is pleased to see Notable Speech back in form.
He further commented that the level of competition is on par with major sporting events like Wimbledon, the Ryder Cup, and the Champions League, representing the pinnacle of the sport.