Buick banking on Notable Speech to defend Breeders’ Cup crown

William Buick may be without Ombudsman – and even seasoned stalwart Rebel’s Romance – when he returns to Kentucky next week, but the leading jockey is hoping he can rely on defending Breeders’ Cup Mile champion Notable Speech to add to his double-figure tally at the showpiece meeting.

The Godolphin number one’s potential book of rides was dealt a significant blow after John Gosden announced his brilliant Champion Stakes hero will not travel to America to take in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, instead favouring a possible Japan Cup swansong.

However, the 38-year-old is still looking forward to a fixture where he has enjoyed huge success in recent years, with seven-time Group One winner Notable Speech very much his ace card following his most recent top-level successes at York and Woodbine.

“He’s always a super horse and he’s got a great constitution. He’s got an amazing CV now and he’s a horse I always look forward to riding,” said Buick.

“He’s a horse that always comes good at this time of year. He was good in the City of York and the Woodbine Mile and hopefully he can be again in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.”

As well as targeting a record-extending fifth win in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Buick will be hoping to pick up rides in several other races across the two-day meeting as he looks forward once again to testing himself against the best international riders on the planet.

He added: “I enjoy going over to America and I know all the jockeys quite well, Mike (Smith), Johnny (Velazquez) and the Ortiz brothers. There’s a whole host of them who are incredible jockeys and hard to ride against.

“We go over with the utmost respect and it’s always really competitive, but the Breeders’ Cup is a great meeting and I absolutely love it.”