Notable leaves us Speechless

All-weather winners switch to turf to claim the first two Classics of the season and a globe-trotting son of Frankel scoops his biggest win at the age of nine

- JENNIFER DONALD

Qipco Guineas Festival, Newmarket Racecourse, Suffolk

THE Classic generation was unwrapped in full force with Notable Speech boasting the wow factor when striking in the 2000 Guineas, before Elmalka followed up in the fillies' equivalent during a blockbuster weekend at racing's headquarters.

Jockey William Buick expressed his delight at finally landing Saturday's colts' Classic at the 14th time of asking, as he was cheered back to the winner's enclosure in the blue silks of Godolphin for trainer Charlie Appleby.

"These races are incredibly hard to win, so I'm overjoyed," said two-time champion jockey Buick, who had been placed six times in the historic race. "Notable Speech really was impressive. I've not very often believed in a horse as much as I have this guy. He just finds it so easy and his change of gear is incredible. He's an out-and-out miler, he's all about speed, he has a great mindset – I think he’ll keep improving as well.”

The big story of the race was Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten champion juvenile City Of Troy’s failure to spark. Last season’s superstar two-year-old – who ended 2023 officially rated 6lb and upwards clear of his contemporaries and almost on a par with Frankel – faded tamely to finish ninth of the 11 runners, in scenes reminiscent of the stable’s hot favourite Auguste Rodin’s defeat in last year’s contest. O’Brien, a record 10-time winner of the 2000 Guineas, reported that this winter’s bad ground may have hindered City Of Troy’s preparations and he tired in a strongly run race.

But the discussions of possible Triple Crowns have certainly been muted and he’s now drifted to third favourite for next month’s Derby.