Billy Loughnane calls the tune on Dance To The Music to finally break his duck on the Rowley Mile

Billy Loughnane finally got a monkey off his back when riding his first winner on the Rowley Mile aboard Dance To The Music in the Godolphin colours in the 6f fillies' novice.

The former champion apprentice was scoring at the 43rd attempt at the venue and found the 2-1 chance a willing partner to leave Eskimo Pie in the cold.

Loughnane said: "Finally I have that monkey off my back and it's been a long time coming. I've had so many seconds and thirds here, but I'm delighted to finally be in the winner's enclosure. I now have four more tracks to go before I've ridden a winner at every course in Britain."

Dance To The Music has some big shoes to fill, as this novice was won by subsequent 1,000 Guineas winners Mawj (2022) and Cachet (2021), but connections were keeping their feet on the ground despite Paddy Power cutting her to 16-1 (from 20-1) for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Alex Merriam, assistant to winning trainer Charlie Appleby, said: "Dance To The Music was still a little green but did it well in the end. I haven't spoken to Charlie but I'd imagine she would go for another novice after that."

The feature of the race was the punt into 6-4, from 8-1 in the morning, on Lyrics Of Life, who never figured and came home fifth of the six runners. 

Course win for Quinn

Local trainer Denis Quinn celebrated his first winner on the Rowley Mile when Dark Tornado followed up his victory of just a week ago in the 7f handicap.

There was no fluke about the win of the 16-1 chance, who was steered to success over Sterling Knight by John Egan.

Dark Tornado and John Egan return to the winner's enclosure

Quinn has relocated to Alice Haynes's former base at Cadland Cottage Stables this year and is already getting results.

"We've had winners on the July course before, but it's great to have my first winner on the Rowley Mile. John gave him a great ride," he said.

Yet more firsts

Another new Rowley Mile winner was apprentice jockey Olivia Haines, who completed her first victory at Newmarket and first winner on turf when steering Rebel Path to success in the closing 6f handicap.

The 14-1 chance was given a polished ride by the 7lb claimer, who is attached to the Stuart Williams yard and is not long back from a broken collarbone.

"I'm thrilled to have my first winner at Newmarket as all my other winners have been at Chelmsford. Thanks to the owners for putting me up," Haines said.

US mission a success

There were more than 3,000 US serviceman and their families on track courtesy of a link-up with local USAF base Lakenheath, and the course fittingly had two US World War II aircraft in the family enclosure as part of Family Extravaganza Day.

A US Mustang fighter plane at Newmarket

Among those paying their first visit to Rowley Mile was serviceman Evan Kitter, originally from Tennessee, who said: "We actually live just off Newmarket High Street and have never been racing before and we are really enjoying it. It's a great initiative and it may be the case that we come racing again."

Sophie Abell, of Newmarket Racecourses said: "As part of a community initiative we have 3,809 people from the US bases of Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Alconbury and Craighton here today, and hopefully they have enjoyed it enough to come back."

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