Ghaiyyath’s Opera Ballo Powers to TDN Rising Stardom at Kempton

[Wandering Eyes]

The Godolphin/Charlie Appleby axis has dominated recent renewals of Kempton's Unibet Supports Safer Gambling Maiden Stakes, winning last year's edition with subsequent G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Sussex Stakes hero Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The operation struck gold once again as Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}–Dubai Opera {GB}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) emulated that stablemate in division one of Wednesday's one-mile contest and collected a 'TDN Rising Star' of his own with an impressive wide-margin success. He joins Chantilly maiden scorer Mandanaba (Fr) on Ghaiyyath's list of Rising Stars.

Opera Ballo broke smartly from the outside stall to gain an early advantage and accepted a tow in second after the initial strides of this first go. Forging ahead passing the two pole, the 4-9 favourite quickened clear in taking fashion approaching the final furlong and kept on powerfully in the latter stages to easily outclass Gennadius (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) by an impressive 8 1/2 lengths.

“He's a beautiful horse and just watching him go around the paddock was nice,” commented rider Billy Loughnane. “He really impressed me with the way he went about his business. He was very professional, he got away lovely and managed to find a nice slot. He overraced a little bit and was quite green through the early stages, so I think he'd be better off racing with a bit of cover. When I asked him to stretch at the two pole, he lengthened away quickly and gave me a really nice feel.”

Opera Ballo is the second foal and scorer out of a full-sister to dual Group 3 winner Lockwood (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Listed Gala Stakes third Saga (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). His dam Dubai Opera (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is also kin to G1 Criterium International runner-up and G3 Prix Thomas Bryon-winning sire Earnshaw (Medaglia D'Oro) out of G3 Prix des Reservoirs victrix Emily Bronte (GB) (Machiavellian). The March-foaled bay is half to a 2-year-old colt by Sottsass (Fr).

 

Impressive debut! @loughnane_billy guides €600,000 purchase Opera Ballo (Ghaiyyath) to a debut success for Charlie Appleby in the race won last year by Notable Speech @godolphin @UnibetRacing | @kemptonparkrace pic.twitter.com/fUs0oHHc1M

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 29, 2025

2nd-Kempton, £8,000, Mdn, 1-29, 3yo/up, 8f (AWT), 1:40.64, st/sl.
OPERA BALLO (IRE), c, 3, by Ghaiyyath (Ire)
1st Dam: Dubai Opera (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
2nd Dam: Emily Bronte (GB), by Machiavellian
3rd Dam: Zafadola (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
Sales history: €600,000 Ylg '23 ARAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $5,375. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Godolphin; B-Ecurie de Cachene (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-Billy Loughnane.

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