He won major races in four countries including the Gran Premio del Jockey Club in Italy, the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the United Kingdom and the Grosser Preis von Baden in Germany.

[7] After a two-month break, Novellist was matched against older horses for the first time in the Grosser Preis von Baden.

Ridden by the British-based Norwegian-born jockey William Buick,[8] he finished fourth of the seven runners behind Danedream, Ovambo Queen and Pastorius.

On his final start of the season, Novellist was sent to Italy to contest the Gran Premio del Jockey Club over 2400 metres in Milan.

[9][10] Novellist made his first appearance as a four-year-old in the Grosser Preis der Badischen Unternehmen over 2200 metres at Baden-Baden on 12 May.

Ridden by Ryan Moore he took the lead 400 metres from the finish and won by one and a quarter lengths from Dunaden, with the favourite Cirrus des Aigles in fifth place.

"[13] Novellist was then sent to the United Kingdom to contest Britain's most prestigious weight-for-age race, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over one and a half miles at Ascot Racecourse.

The colt was racing on firm ground for the first time but Wohler had no doubts about Novellist's ability to cope, saying: "He is a very good-moving horse, and his action was impressive in the gallop.

[3] He was ridden by the veteran Irish jockey Johnny Murtagh after Ryan Moore was claimed to ride the three-year-old Hillstar.

He was settled in fourth place as fast pace was set by Ektihaam and Universal, before moving up to take the lead in the straight.

[23] In December 2023, Novellist was retired from stud duty and was pensioned at the Yogibo Versailles Resort Farm [ja].