By Tom Frary
Those thinking that lightning can't strike twice may have to think again after Godolphin's TDN Rising Star Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}–Dubai Opera {GB}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) trod a familiar path for Charlie Appleby at Kempton on Wednesday evening. Introduced in the same course-and-distance maiden last month won in 2024 by the yard's subsequent 2,000 Guineas hero Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the €600,000 Arqana Deauville August graduate had not let the side down with an emphatic 8 1/2-length success on that occasion and was duly sent off the 11-10 favourite to emulate his predecessor by adding this “European Road To The Kentucky Derby” Conditions Stakes to his tally.
Always tanking in the hands of William Buick breathing down the neck of his pacemaker Olympus Point (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}) throughout this mile contest, the grandson of the G3 Prix des Reservoirs winner Emily Bronte (GB) (Machiavellian) took control two out and settled matters quickly. At the line, he had four lengths to spare over the useful dual-winning yardstick Hott Shott (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), with another length back to the Southwell debut scorer Saddadd (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}), the Roger Varian-trained half-brother to last year's Listed Heron Stakes winner Almaqam (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
“He was very smooth,” Buick said. “We came here today not really knowing what to expect and it was a warm race with horses with proven form from novices, so I thought he showed plenty there. I do think he's a work in progress and it's all there for him. The Ghaiyyaths really showed up at the end of last season and like this one, they will progress.”
🔵 Opera Ballo – all class in the “European Road To The @KentuckyDerby” Conditions Stakes for team @godolphin
🏇 Two runs
🥇 Two wins
🚀 Smart prospect pic.twitter.com/cQi0kw86xX— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 26, 2025
Without going into the race mechanics, the winner clocked a time over second faster than Notable Speech in the same contest, lending some credence to the reaction of the bookmakers who quoted as short as 8-1 for the Guineas in the immediate aftermath.
He is the second foal out of the modest maiden Dubai Opera (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a full-sister to the G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis and G3 Supreme Stakes winner Lockwood (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and the listed-placed Saga (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and half to Medaglia D'Oro's G1 Criterium International runner-up and G3 Prix Thomas Bryon-winning sire Earnshaw. Sold for €86,000 at 2020 Goffs November, she is out of the G3 Prix des Reservoirs winner Emily Bronte (GB) (Machiavellian). Her 2-year-old colt by Sottsass (Fr) named Damn Precious (GB) was a €90,000 private purchase at Arqana Deauville August.
7th-Kempton, £60,000, Cond, 2-26, 3yo, 8f (AWT), 1:38.16, st/sl.
OPERA BALLO (IRE) (c, 3, Ghaiyyath {Ire}–Dubai Opera {GB}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) Sales history: €600,000 Ylg '23 ARAUG. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $44,545. O-Godolphin; B-Ecurie de Cachene (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby.
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