Musical Times preserved her unbeaten record with a determined victory in the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket Racecourse on Friday, October 9, 2026, as William Buick produced a masterful ride to guide the Godolphin filly through a challenging passage and secure one of the season’s most prestigious juvenile contests.
The Lope De Vega filly defeated Haven by a length in the £500,000 contest, recording her fourth consecutive victory and delivering another significant success for trainer Charlie Appleby and owner Godolphin. The performance also strengthened her credentials for next season’s 1000 Guineas, with her ability to overcome adversity adding further substance to her Classic ambitions.
The Newmarket Fillies’ Mile represented a substantial examination of Musical Times’ composure after her impressive victory in the Group Two May Hill Stakes at Doncaster in September. This time, however, the filly encountered limited racing room approaching the final quarter-mile, leaving Buick with the task of finding a clear passage at a decisive stage.
Buick remained patient as the field approached the closing stages, resisting the temptation to commit his mount before an opening emerged. Musical Times still had considerable ground to make up entering the final furlong, but once she found room to accelerate, she responded with an authoritative turn of foot. Haven mounted the principal challenge, yet Musical Times maintained her advantage to cross the line a length clear.
The victory underlined the filly’s ability to combine speed with resilience. Rather than allowing the interrupted passage to compromise her effort, she settled under Buick’s guidance and delivered her strongest acceleration when the opportunity finally arrived.
Appleby praised both the filly’s determination and Buick’s judgement, acknowledging that the race had not developed according to plan. The trainer credited the jockey with maintaining confidence in his mount and identifying the opening required to bring her finishing ability into play.
Appleby also welcomed the improvement in Musical Times’ behaviour before the race. Having proved difficult to manage at Doncaster, she appeared more composed on her way to the start at Newmarket. The change offered encouraging evidence of her continuing physical and mental development, qualities that could prove valuable as she progresses towards the demands of another campaign.
The result carried additional significance for the Godolphin and Appleby partnership, which had already celebrated success in the same race with Desert Flower in 2024. That filly subsequently captured the 2025 1000 Guineas, providing a compelling precedent for Musical Times as she prepares for a possible Classic challenge of her own.
Appleby indicated that a racecourse gallop could form part of her preparation before she returned to action in the spring. While her next steps remained to be finalised, her unbeaten record and authoritative Group One performance established her as a noteworthy prospect for the season ahead.
Buick was equally encouraged by the filly’s response under pressure. He admitted to concern when approaching the rail, despite feeling that he had plenty of horse beneath him. Musical Times nevertheless quickened effectively through the dip and sustained her effort to the finish, demonstrating both courage and a growing ability to settle during a demanding contest.
The jockey also highlighted her continuing physical and mental maturation, while her effectiveness over a mile offered further encouragement for a potential Classic campaign.
Elsewhere on the Newmarket card, Never So Brave delivered a notable success for trainer Andrew Balding in the Group Two Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Challenge Stakes over seven furlongs. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, the five-year-old took the lead inside the final furlong and held off stablemate Flora Of Bermuda by a neck.
The result provided valuable momentum for Balding’s pursuit of the Flat trainers’ championship. The trainer also raised the possibility of an international campaign for Never So Brave, subject to an invitation and discussions with owner Saeed Suhail.
Saffie Osborne added another success to her impressive season by partnering Lola De Valence to victory in the Group Three Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes. The Havana Grey filly tackled seven furlongs for the first time, took the lead inside the final furlong and resisted Sweltering by a neck for trainer Rod Millman.
The opening Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes produced an equally close finish, with Mussab prevailing in the five-furlong contest. The Ten Sovereigns colt moved into the lead entering the final furlong before facing a determined challenge from In The Black. Under Oisin Orr, Mussab held on by a nose, prompting trainer Peter Fahey to identify the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland as a possible next assignment.
Musical Times’ triumph nevertheless provided the defining performance of the meeting, combining Buick’s tactical judgement with the filly’s determination and finishing speed. With her unbeaten record intact and the 1000 Guineas emerging as a potential objective, the Newmarket Fillies’ Mile winner strengthened her standing among the leading prospects for next year’s Classic season.
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