Opera Singer excelled underneath a daring front-running journey by Ryan Moore to land a second group 1 within the Nassau Stakes (G1) Aug. 1 at Goodwood.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly denied the staying-on See The Fireplace , with Glowing Lots maintaining on from the rear for third.
Emily Upjohn was despatched off the 7-4 favourite however by no means figured in sixth having been held up. It was the fourth straight defeat for the a number of grade 1-winning older mare.
Moore advised ITV Racing: “She began late within the Irish Guineas and the bottom was gradual on the day which didn’t go well with her and he or she ran a brilliant race at Ascot.
“She stayed very effectively within the Boussac final yr and we at all times felt she’d keep 10 and 12 furlongs. When she received the Boussac final yr, I believed she was an Arc filly (for the longer term).
“The race suited her immediately and we’re nonetheless studying about her. She’s proven herself to be high class and hopefully she’ll construct on this. She’s very easy—every part you ask her to do she simply does it.”
Opera Singer, owned by the Coolmore partnership of Michael Tabor, D. Smith, Mrs. J. Magnier, and Westerberg, was lower to 5-1 (from 12) by Paddy Energy for the Yorkshire Oaks (G1) Aug. 22 and O’Brien nominated the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) in October as a possible end-of-season goal. She was shortened to 12-1 (from 20) with bet365 for the Longchamp showpiece.
O’Brien stated: “She’s a really particular filly. Ryan gave her a implausible journey and was very assured about her.
“We have at all times thought in regards to the Arc for her. She had an interrupted spring however stayed 10 furlongs effectively right here and there is each likelihood she’s going to keep a mile and a half. She’s very elegant.”
Aidan O’Brien (far left) walks with Opera Singer into the winner’s enclosure after the Nassau Stakes
The Nassau was Opera Singer’s first victory of 2024 after starting her season with a third-place displaying within the Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) and a slim loss to Porta Fortuna when runner-up within the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. Thursday’s race, contested over 1 1/4 miles, was the filly’s first check towards older mares.
Kentucky-bred Opera Singer gave her sire, 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify , his first European grade 1 winner when she captured final yr’s Prix Marcel Boussac Criterium des Pouliches (G1) as a juvenile. The Ashford Stud stallion at present leads the North American third-crop sires record and counts the sensible Metropolis of Troy , winner of the Epsom Derby (G1) and Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1), amongst his 12 stakes winners in 2024. The main 2023 second-crop sire, Justify stood the previous breeding time period for a non-public payment.
