The Opera House is one of the very rare white horses, as opposed to grey, and was sold as a yearling amidst much interest at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2008 from the Amarina Farm draft, being bought by Kris Lees for $270,000 and the filly subsequently raced in the colours of John Singleton's Strawberry Hills Stud.
By Zabeel out of a half-sister to champion Might And Power, she was only moderate on the track though, being placed five times before breaking through for a maiden win at her ninth start which saw the curtain brought down on her career.
Since going to stud she has produced six foals, the last four in a row as white as herself and one of them, Utzon, named for the Opera House's architect, is making his debut at Caulfield on Saturday in the Debutante Stakes.
Utzon as a foal with The Opera House.
By Charm Spirit, Utzon was offered by Windsor Park Stud at this year's NZB Karaka Book 1, selling to Yulong Investments for $120,000.
Trained by Ciaron Maher and to be ridden by James McDonald, the filly is a $6 second favourite off the back of an impressive barrier trial win at Cranbourne on Monday and would appear a sound chance to bring some welcome black type to his dam's record who has proven quite the investment for her owners in recent years.
Since being purchased by Michael Wallace Bloodstock at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in 2013 for $30,000 and shipped to NZ, those four white foals she has produced since have returned over $1.1 million in the sale ring!
Below are the white foals of The Opera House.
Utzon again, resting up!
Utzon as a yearling - sold for $120,000.
2014 filly by High Chaparral x The Opera House. Sold for $450,000. A winner in Japan.
2015 colt by Shamexpress, sold for $510,000.
2017 filly by Mongolian Khan, sadly since died.
The Opera House was served by Windsor Park Stud's Rageese last season.
