Six-time Champion Jockey, former Ballydoyle number one and current Godolphin work rider Kieren Fallon has told Bets And Horses that Breeders’ Cup Mile hope Notable Speech is the “soundest horse Charlie Appleby has ever trained”.
Speaking to Bets And Horses ahead of the 2026 Breeders’ Cup from Keeneland, Fallon said: “The fast ground will suit a lot of the European horses, especially Notable Speech. I’d have said Blue Bolt will enjoy it, and so will Libertango.
“Notable Speech is in great form. I’d say he’s the soundest horse Charlie [Appleby] has ever trained, in every way. He’s never had problems with his wind, he doesn’t bleed, I don’t even think he’s ever taken a false step.
“Royal Ascot is the only blip in his copybook and going uphill seems to be the only thing he doesn’t like.
“He does so well in Canada because it is a beautiful, flat turf track. It’s perfectly level and it’s always good ground. Canada isn’t as tough a place to go as the rest of North America and I don’t know why more trainers don’t send horses there.
“The prize money is brilliant, they look after you really well and the tracks are always in great condition.
“Notable Speech obviously has no problem running anywhere – he travels for fun. He’s a dream ride for anyone because you can put him where you want. He has a good draw in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and he should get a nice run into the race.
“That said, I don’t want him to win. I want Lake Forest to win because my son Cieren rides him.
“I don’t think Lake Forest is far behind Notable Speech. He was behind him at York and on paper he isn’t as good, but the gap is smaller than some people think.
“You need a lot of luck in running round there and you won’t be given an inch at the Breeders’ Cup. If Notable Speech gets the run, he wins. However, if there’s any blips, I think Lake Forest will be there to pounce.”
Notable Speech is up there with Modern Games
Fallon ranks Notable Speech alongside Modern Games in his all-time Godolphin horses over a mile.
“He’d have to be up there with Modern Games,” said Fallon. “Modern Games was a beautiful, compact, genuine miler and Notable Speech is the same. I couldn’t find anything between them, and it’d be a very close race between the two of them.”
El Cordobes a big price in the Turf
Fallon believes El Cordobes is overpriced in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
“At 25/1 now, I think El Cordobes is overpriced,” he said. “He went to Belmont a couple of weeks ago and he was heavy when he went over there. His work rider is a really good judge and he expects him to come on a lot for that run. He might not be good enough to beat the likes of Diamond Necklace, but he’s certainly up to running a big race.
“I actually thought Tiffany was very impressive in Kentucky Downs and she’s only improving. She’ll go forward and I think she could have a chance.”
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Michael Davey