Ghiayyath’s three-year-old son Opera Ballo recorded his third victory in four starts on Thursday, 29 May when running out the impressive winner of the one-mile Heron Stakes at Sandown.
Racing keenly under William Buick early on, Charlie Appleby’s charge took the lead inside the final two furlongs and soon put the race to bed, cruising to a two-and-a-half-length win.
Opera Ballo won his first two career starts at Kempton earlier this year, by eight and a half lengths and four lengths respectively. He holds an entry in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes on the first day of Royal Ascot.
Bred by Ecurie de Cachene and a €600,000 yearling, Opera Ballo is the second winner from two foals to race out of Dubai Opera, also dam of Night Of Thunder’s Stakes-placed daughter Dyptique. The mare is herself a full sister to multiple Group winner Lockwood and a half-sister to G1 performer Earnshaw.
Ghaiyyath is also sire of Classic horse and Group winner Mandanaba, third in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches plus the unbeaten Gethin, 2024's highest-rated winning two-year-old debutant. He is also represented by Autumn Stakes runner up and Derby contender Stanhope Gardens.
