Ten talented milers lined up for the highlight of Newbury’s flat season. For much of the week, the Frankel colt Damysus just shaded favouritism. Hailing from the yard of John and Thady Gosden, the Wathnan Racing runner arrived on the back of an impressive win in the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket. With James Doyle in the saddle, the four-year-old looked to have solid claims of landing a first Group 1.
Damysus lost his status as favourite to the most thoroughly proven Group 1 performer in the lineup. Around 4/1 on the morning of the race, sustained support saw the Charlie Appleby-trained Notable Speech sent off as the clear 2/1 favourite. With wins in the top-level mile events of the 2,000 Guineas, the Sussex Stakes, the Woodbine Mile, and the Breeders’ Cup Mile on his CV, it was easy to understand why punters were latching onto his claims. Only fourth on his seasonal return in the 2025 edition, he had the benefit of a run under his belt this time around.
Carrying the colours of the late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, Karl Burke’s Zeus Olympios sat third in the market. A perfect four from four during a flawless three-year-old season, the son of Night Of Thunder lost his unbeaten record when third in the bet365 Mile on his seasonal return. However, that still rated a solid effort, with the reopposing Cicero’s Gift and Dancing Gemini finishing behind him that day.
A man never to be dismissed in British Group 1 events, Aidan O’Brien sent The Lion In Winter and pacemaker Mississippi River into battle. The Lion In Winter failed to live up to the hype during his Classic campaign but bounced back with a Listed win at Leopardstown on his first start in 2026.
French raider Sahlan, Andrew Balding’s Group 2 winner Jonquil, and the rapidly improving More Thunder from the yard of William Haggas completed the lineup.
Result
- 1st – Notable Speech 2/1F, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- 2nd – More Thunder 9/1, Jockey: Tom Marquand, Trainer: William Haggas
- 3rd – Zeus Olympios 4/1, Jockey: Clifford Lee, Trainer: Karl Burke
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £226,840
- 2nd – £86,000
- 3rd – £43,040
- 4th – £21,440
- 5th – £10,760
- 6th – £5,400
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £3
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.40, 2nd – £2.50, 3rd – £1.40
- Exacta – £23.10
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £21.54
- Trifecta – £142.30
- Tricast – £69.10
Recap
The Lion In Winter broke best when the stalls opened to take the lead up the centre of the track. He was joined almost immediately by stablemate Mississippi River, who was rousted forward by Sean Levey to make the running. Damysus also gained a prominent early position towards the near side. Zeus Olympios, Cicero’s Gift, and Sahlan made up the next group of three. Notable Speech, More Thunder, Dancing Gemini, and Jonquil were held up in the early stages.
With five furlongs to go, Mississippi River had opened up a two-length advantage over The Lion In Winter and Damysus, who raced ahead of Zeus Olympios and Cicero’s Gift. William Buick and Notable Speech had made a small move into midfield and sat sixth. More Thunder was last of the ten at this stage.
Hitting the two-furlong pole, a vigorously ridden Mississippi River was joined by The Lion In Winter and Damysus in a battle for the lead. Zeus Olympios switched towards the outside to make his challenge, with Notable Speech on his heels, but trapped in a pocket. Looking further back, Dancing Gemini was beginning to stay on well, as More Thunder began his customary charge from the back of the field.
Moving into the final furlong, Damysus, Mississippi River, The Lion In Winter, and Zeus Olympios made a wave of four across the track. Notable Speech appeared to be cantering but was struggling to find daylight. Having failed to get a run on the far side of the group, Buick switched behind the four leaders and spotted a gap between Damysus and the keeping-on Cicero’s Gift.
Once into the clear, the response was electric. Displaying the type of push-button acceleration that has become a hallmark of his career, Notable Speech quickened past his rivals in the blink of an eye. Hitting the front inside the final furlong, his exhilarating burst took him to an impressive two-length success. More Thunder finished to great effect to take second, with Zeus Olympios best of the rest in third.
Charlie Appleby claimed a second win in the race, and it was a third triumph for William Buick. Godolphin stretched further clear as the most successful owner in the history of the race with this, their 10th Lockinge victory.
Runners
- 1. Cicero’s Gift – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Charles Hills, Jockey: Jason Watson
- 2. Damysus – SP: 18/5, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: James Doyle
- 3. Dancing Gemini – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Roger Teal, Jockey: Rossa Ryan
- 4. Jonquil – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Colin Keane
- 5. Mississippi River – SP: 125/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Sean Levey
- 6. More Thunder – SP: 9/1, Trainer: William Haggas, Jockey: Tom Marquand
- 7. Notable Speech – SP: 2/1F, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: William Buick
- 8. Sahlan – SP: 17/2, Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard, Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
- 9. The Lion In Winter – SP: 9/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 10. Zeus Olympios – SP: 4/1, Trainer: Karl Burke, Jockey: Clifford Lee
Non-Runners
All ran.