Dubawi stallions are all the rage in Australia with no fewer than six of them standing at commercial studs in NSW and Victoria, but one elite stallion by the legendary Darley sire has elected to race on at five and Notable Speech landed the Group I Lockinge Stakes (1m) overnight at Newbury.
A homebred for Godolphin that won the Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas at three, the Charlie Appleby trained Notable Speech also won the Group I Goodwood Sussex Stakes at three and was third in the Group I Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Last year at four he competed only at G1 level and added elite wins to his record in the Woodbine Mile in Canada and the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar.
Taking on the Lockinge Stakes second up this year following a luckless fourth in the Group I Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland, Notable Speech started favourite and produced his brilliant best to win by two lengths.
“It was a great training performance by Charlie [Appleby]. When Notable Speech went to America in the spring it was a nightmare from start to finish. He didn't get a chance to show what he can do,” said William Buick.
“We all knew he'd be in good shape here and it's been a great job by everybody. The race fell apart in front of me a little bit. He's explosive. He's an absolutely top-class miler and he's done it across the Atlantic, as well as here. He's got a super temperament to go with his ability.”
The Group I Queen Annes Stakes at Royal Ascot is the next target race for this talented stallion.
Notable Speech is the first winner for Group III placed Invincible Spirit mare Swift Rose, a half-sister to Group I winner Wild Beauty and Group III winner Desert Wisdom, who is also by Dubawi.
His pedigree traces back to fourth dam Cherokee Rose, a brilliant dual Group I winning sprinter, who has spawned an impressive dynasty of stakes-winners that includes Group I winners Kirklees, Mastery, Mukhadram and Australian Group I winner Linebacker.
Dubawi has become flavour of the month in Australia thanks to the success of young Darley shuttle sires Too Darn Hot (GB) and Ghaiyyath (IRE), who are both due back in Australia this spring.
Also Group I winning sons of Dubawi headed to Australia this spring are Delacroix (IRE) for Coolmore, Henry Longfellow (IRE) for Rosemont, Lead Artist (GB) for Arrowfield and Benbatl (GB) for Woodside Park.
