Musical Times wins Fillies’ Mile to remain unbeaten

Charlie Appleby's filly overcame a difficult passage to beat Haven at Newmarket.

Musical Times won the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket on October 9, beating Haven by a length. William Buick struggled to find room before his filly accelerated through a gap and took control.

The victory extended Musical Times' unbeaten record to four starts. She had previously won on the July Course and at Yarmouth before taking the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster in September. She completed the same May Hill–Fillies’ Mile double that Desert Flower achieved for Appleby and Buick two years earlier.

Appleby said the difficult passage would provide useful experience. He believes the filly stays a mile strongly and has natural pace and acceleration. His plan is to give her a break before a spring racecourse gallop and a possible run in next year's 1000 Guineas.

Haven, trained by Aidan O’Brien, finished second after winning her maiden at Dundalk. O’Brien expects longer distances to suit her next season and sees her as a possible Oaks contender. Those assessments describe the trainers' plans rather than established outcomes of future races.