Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes
 QuinnBet
Group 2, Newbury 15:15
£125,000 guaranteed,
2yo only,
6f 8y, Class 1   
Saturday 20th September 2025

BetPlay

1 Words Of Truth 7/2
2 Into The Sky 9/4
3 Flying Comet 20/1
8 ran Distances: 1l, 4¼l, 2¾l
Time: 1m 14.41s (slow by 3.91s)

Charlie Appleby can already be forgiven for letting his mind wander toward next season, after Words Of Truth dug in deep to complete a hat-trick and snatch the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury from a gallant Into The Sky in the shadow of the post.

Jim Boyle’s Into The Sky, who caused an 80-1 sensation over course and distance on debut, was out to prove that lightning really can strike twice—this time carrying the silks of new part-owner Doreen Tabor. Sent on with purpose by Pat Cosgrave, the Starman colt looked to have stolen a march a furlong out, the grey skies and sodden Berkshire turf setting the stage for what seemed a fairytale for the Epsom yard.

But in the final act, William Buick and Words Of Truth found a seam of daylight on the stands rail. Switching for room, Buick asked the question and got every answer he needed, the 7-2 shot lengthening his stride to surge past in the dying yards, prevailing by a length. It was the performance of a gelding who has done enough this season and now earns a winter break before bigger targets at three.

Appleby reflected: “It’s unlikely we would look at the Breeders’ Cup and I would say we would put him away, he’s had a few runs this season now.

“I haven’t spoken to William yet, but I thought we might work back from something like the Jersey Stakes (at Royal Ascot) with him, stepping up to seven furlongs at some stage during the season next year.”

For both trainer and jockey, this was a first taste of success in the Group Two—run this year in memory of the late Geoff Lewis, who famously guided Mill Reef to Derby and Arc glory in 1971. That significance was not lost on Buick, whose early days were steeped in Kingsclere history.

He said: “The statue of Mill Reef in the yard is really special for Park House Stables and of course I spent many years there when I was young through my apprenticeship.

“It’s my first time winning the Mill Reef and it was run in honour of the great Geoff Lewis as well so it’s very special having had the association with Park House and Kingsclere.”

For Boyle, there was disappointment mixed with pride as his big, raw colt proved his debut was no fluke. He already has next year’s Greenham Stakes pencilled in, though he admitted this near-miss stung just a little.

Boyle said: “It’s mixed feelings but we’re utterly delighted with him and he’s a big, raw, weak horse still.

“You could see he was a bit lonely in front and he just lugged away to the left a little bit but Pat was absolutely delighted with him and said he has so much raw ability.”

He added: “To do that on his second start was something a little bit special and I think the winner will prove a decent horse. They pulled a long way clear and I’m a little bit gutted but I have to be thrilled.

“It’s the hope that kills you when for a brief moment you think he’s going to win and it gets snatched away from you, but I’m delighted.

“I won’t run him again this season as he’s a big frame of a horse. Pat said ‘what a horse he is going to be next year’ and that’s always the way we have felt about him – he’s next year’s horse and what he has done this year is phenomenal.

“We’ll speak to all the owners and come up with a plan but you might have to be thinking of training him for something like the Greenham.

“He showed so much speed but at home we always thought he would be a seven furlong to a mile horse and we’ll put him away, let him strengthen up and maybe have an eye on the Greenham and see where we go from there.”

Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2)
£125,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 6f 8y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Soft

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (8)    Words Of Truth 2 9-3 Charlie Appleby William Buick 7/2
2 (6) 1 Into The Sky 2 9-3 Jim Boyle Pat Cosgrave 9/4
3 (3) 4¼ Flying Comet 2 9-3 Simon & Ed Crisford Tom Marquand 20/1
4 (7) 2¾ Rydale Frosty 2 9-3 David Simcock Jamie Spencer 33/1
5 (5) nk Gold Queen Kindly 2 9-3 K R Burke Daniel Tudhope 12/1
6 (2) 5½ Rock On Thunder 2 9-3 Kevin Ryan Kevin Stott 7/4F
7 (4) 1¼ Sands Of Spain 2 9-3 Andrew Balding P J McDonald 25/1
8 (1) 12 Watcha Snoop 2 9-3 Hugo Palmer Cieren Fallon 18/1