Dance To The Music Sweet Solera Stakes 2025 produced another winning performance at Newmarket’s Saturday meeting, as the Godolphin filly maintained her unbeaten record in the Group Three feature for two-year-old fillies. Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by Billy Loughnane, she showed both maturity and determination to land the £60,000 seven-furlong contest on August 9.
Returning to action for the first time since her winning debut over six furlongs on the Rowley Mile in May, the daughter of Dubawi — a full-sister to triple Group One winner Space Blues — confirmed the promise of her first run. That debut success had hinted at a bright future, and this performance strengthened the impression that she could become one of the leading juvenile fillies of the season.
Dance To The Music Sweet Solera Stakes 2025 Victory Analysis
Venetian Lace set a determined pace from the outset, with Dance To The Music tracking closely. The leader refused to give in, and it was only just before the final furlong that Appleby’s filly moved to the front. A late challenge from Princess Petrol added drama, but the winner held on by a neck, showing resilience beyond her limited experience.
The victory gave Charlie Appleby his first win in the Sweet Solera Stakes, a notable addition to his impressive training record. “That was very pleasing,” he said. “She is a filly who is a full-sister to Space Blues, and sometimes your heart rules your head when you get involved with pedigrees. She is so much more forward than Space Blues, who didn’t run until November at Nottingham.”
Appleby credited patient handling for her progress. “When Billy rode her in the spring, she was still weak and raw. We gave her time to mature, and the step up to seven furlongs came at exactly the right time. Billy used her turn of foot well — that was probably the winning move.”
Loughnane’s tactics reflected that thinking. He stayed close to the leader’s girth, mindful of the stamina strengths of the front-runner, before unleashing the filly’s acceleration at the crucial moment. It was a ride that showed both confidence and race awareness.
Looking ahead, Appleby believes the Dance To The Music Sweet Solera Stakes 2025 winner will only get quicker as she matures. “Space Blues got faster as he aged, and I see the same potential here. She’s still physically developing and will improve with time. She’s not big, but neither was Space Blues — a good little one is better than a bad big one.”
Appleby also praised Loughnane’s talent. “Billy is a natural and was showing ability long before I put him on one of my horses. He’s been riding out for us regularly and partners Rebel’s Romance tomorrow.”
With two wins from as many starts, Dance To The Music Sweet Solera Stakes 2025 has quickly become one of the most exciting juvenile stories of the flat season. Her Newmarket victory suggests she could be aimed at more Group races as the year unfolds.
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