Justify's Spectacular Opera Singer Romps in Prix Marcel Boussac

Mark Smith - Monday October 2

Ballydoyle's Justify (USA) filly Opera Singer scaled new heights at Longchamp on Sunday when leading at every call for a 5-length romp in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac - Criterium des Pouliches for 2-year-old fillies.

Opera Singer (image Irish Racing)

Ridden by Ryan Moore for Aidan O'Brien, Opera Singer extended when challenged by China Horse Club's previously unbeaten Lope De Vega filly Rose Bloom who was three-quarters of a length in front of the No Nay Never filly Les Pavots.

""Ryan said she was very straightforward. She really appreciated the step up to a mile like we thought she would.I thought she was very strong all the way to the line, and it was an impressive performance," O'Brien said.

"Being on nicer ground helped her put in that performance.

"She's by Justify, and they get better with age. As she steps up in trip, she's something to look forward to next year.

"We've been excited with her the whole time; she's a beautiful filly, and we've always loved her from the first day she ran.

"We thought when she stepped up to the mile at the Curragh the last day she would change and grow another leg, and that's what she did; she was very impressive the last day.

"She's obviously a filly that would have no problem starting off at a mile in a Classic, and you would imagine she would have no problem going up to a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half.

Advertisement

"Ryan was raving about her there coming in; he said I look forward to this day next year (in the Arc)."

Opera Singer has progressed spectacularly since finishing eighth of twelve in a maiden at the Curragh in June. She broke her maiden a month later at Leopardstown before being beaten a head over 7f at the Curragh.

Justify

Making the leap to the Group III Flame of Tara Stakes at the Curragh, Opera Singer gave a taste of things to come with a six-and-a-half-length jog.

Opera Singer runs for the Coolmore partners and is a half-sister to a pair of Group I winning fillies by War Front in Brave Anna (Newmarket Cheveley Park Stakes) and Hit it a Bomb (Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf).

She is the eighth winner from nine foals to race from Group III, winning Sadler's Wells mare Liscanna.

Opera Singer is the third Group 1 winner for Coolmore Stud's undefeated Triple Crown hero Justify (USA), 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Private Eye Half-Brother King's Secret Records First Stakes Win
While he may forever race in the shadow of his half-brother and $12.8m earner Private Eye, the Joe Pride trained Shalaa gelding King’s Secret stepped up to black type racing for the first time in his career, winning the Listed Canterbury Sprint (1200m) on New Year’s day.
Ange Jones Wins G3 on Santa Catalina
It may not have been on the horse she crossed the Tasman for, but premiership-winning Queensland hoop Angela Jones got her Group victory at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.
New SW for Zoustar to Kick off 2026
The leading sire by worldwide winners in 2025, Widden Stud’s flagship sire Zoustar kicked off on New Year’s Day with a brand new stakes-winner when Queen Zou captured the Group II Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie and her full sister is headed to Inglis Premier.
G2 Quinella for Home Affairs
Home Affairs posted his first stakes-winner on New Year's Day and for good measure made it a quinella with his two strapping bay youngsters Kinnaird and Harvey Wallbanger fighting out the finish of the Group II Skycity Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in New Zealand.
One To Watch - Mornington
A narrow third in the G3 Quezette Stakes in August, the Mark and Levi Kavanagh-trained Peltzer filly Thanks Gorgeous was a class above her rivals at Mornington on New Year’s Day, pulling clear to break her maiden in impressive fashion.
Australia's Best Maiden Gains $3million Sunlight Slot
Yarraman-bred and -raced filly Sylph will carry the green and white of Yulong in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight on Saturday, 10 January.
Dracarys Stakes-Winner in Hong Kong
Queensland based Snitzel stallion Dracarys sired his second stakes-winner on New Year’s Day when talented gelding Storm Rider won the Group III Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin.
Sires With Winners - Thursday January 1
Here is the full list of 88 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Historic Perth Cup Win for Apulia - Special Day for Hayes Dynasty
If you love racing, there are few better ways to kick off a New Year than to be amidst a big and happy Ascot crowd on a summery Perth afternoon, watching the field go down to the start for The Cup!.
New SW Ocean Park - Ohope Wins Takes G2 Sir Patrick Hogan
Closely related to NZ Horse of the Year Jimmy Choux, promising staying filly Ohope Wins chose the best possible moment to break her maiden status when she powered home to take out the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie.