Notable Speech powers Godolphin to 10th Lockinge Stakes victory at Newbury
Notable Speech gave Godolphin its tenth Lockinge Stakes win at Newbury on May 16, 2026, clocking 1:36.27 in a commanding performance that saw UAE-owned runners place strongly.
Notable Speech, ridden by William Buick and trained by Charlie Appleby, delivered a decisive win in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The five-year-old extended a remarkable Group 1 record and provided Godolphin with a landmark tenth victory in the historic mile contest. UAE-owned horses again featured prominently with Mor Thunder finishing second for owner Saeed Suhail and Zeus Olympios taking third for the heirs of Sheikh Mohammed bin Obaid Al Maktoum.
Godolphin secures 10th Lockinge Stakes victory
Godolphin added to a long association with the Lockinge Stakes, a race inaugurated in 1958 that has frequently showcased elite milers. Notable Speech’s triumph continued a lineage of Godolphin successes in the event, reinforcing the stable’s status among the sport’s most successful owners. The win is a high-profile affirmation of Godolphin’s depth and international reach in top-level mile racing.
The significance of a tenth Lockinge win for Godolphin was noted across the racing community, reflecting years of targeted campaigns and high-calibre recruitment of both equine and human talent. The result at Newbury underlined the operation’s ongoing investment in proven middle-distance and mile performers.
Race summary and official finishing details
Notable Speech completed the 1600-metre turf test in 1 minute 36.27 seconds to take the Lockinge Stakes by two lengths. Mor Thunder, owned by UAE-based owner Saeed Suhail and trained by William Haggas, finished strongly to claim second place under Tom Marquand. Zeus Olympios secured third, carrying the colours of the heirs of Sheikh Mohammed bin Obaid Al Maktoum and ridden by Clifford Lee.
The margin and official time reflected a consistently run renewal on Newbury’s straight mile, with the favourite producing a sustained turn of foot in the closing stages. Connections reported satisfaction with how the race played out tactically and with the soundness of the ground for all placed runners.
William Buick’s tactical ride proved decisive
William Buick kept Notable Speech prominent through the early and middle phases, ensuring the horse remained in touch with the leaders without burning energy prematurely. Buick’s positioning allowed Notable Speech to exploit a clear run in the closing furlong, a move that proved decisive as the field quickened.
Observers praised Buick for his composure under pressure, noting that his timing in unleashing Notable Speech’s sustained finishing kick was textbook for a top-level mile. The partnership between Buick and the Charlie Appleby-trained gelding has now delivered multiple Group 1 successes, underlining the importance of jockey-trainer rapport at this level.
Notable Speech’s Group 1 legacy and recent form
The winner, now five years old, has amassed a total of five Group 1 victories, confirming his status among Europe and America’s elite milers. Notable Speech’s résumé includes a classic victory in the 2000 Guineas in 2024 and a international success in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2025, showcasing versatility across both British and American turf patterns.
That mix of classic and international Group 1 form was evident at Newbury, where the horse demonstrated maturity and a high cruising speed combined with a potent finishing burst. Connections indicated plans will be reviewed, with the possibility of targeting further top-level mile contests during the summer and autumn campaigns.
UAE owners maintain strong presence in the finishing order
The Lockinge result again highlighted the strength of UAE investment and participation in global flat racing. Saeed Suhail’s Mor Thunder claimed a strong runner-up spot for trainer William Haggas, confirming the horse as a consistent Group-level performer. Meanwhile, Zeus Olympios provided another notable placing for the heirs of Sheikh Mohammed bin Obaid Al Maktoum, maintaining their tradition of competing at the highest level.
These placings contribute to a wider narrative of UAE ownership continuing to influence top international races through both ownership and racing partnerships. The prominence of UAE-connected runners at Newbury will be closely followed by regional racing fans and industry stakeholders ahead of the summer season.
Notable Speech’s Lockinge Stakes triumph at Newbury not only extended Godolphin’s historic record in the race but also reinforced the five-year-old’s position among the world’s leading milers. Connections were full of praise for the horse’s condition and the tactical ride by William Buick, and racing followers will now look ahead to where Notable Speech is campaigned next in a season that promises further Group 1 opportunities.
