Opera Ballo delivered a dazzling front‑running display to secure the bet365 Mile at Sandown, leaving the field in his wake. The Ghaiyyath colt had already hinted at top‑class potential, having won four of his first five starts.
Although he was outclassed by Zeus Olympios in the Joel Stakes at Newmarket last autumn, he rebounded with two commanding victories in Dubai, confirming his rising stature. Going off at 4‑1, the third‑favorite in the Group Two contest, Charlie Appleby’s entry was sent straight to the lead by jockey William Buick, who set a steady, honest tempo that the horse never relented from. The early pace was exactly what Appleby and Buick had discussed the previous day – there was no specific speed plan, so they opted to let Opera Ballo emulate his sire’s style: a quick jump from the gates and a relentless gallop.
"William and I were chatting yesterday and there wasn’t a pace angle declared, so we said let him do what his father did and jump and run," Appleby explained after the race. "This horse is electric out of the gates and Will always says he’ll take two or three lengths out of them right from the start." The field featured last season’s Irish Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner Field Of Gold, who entered the race as the even‑money favourite, hoping to rebound from a disappointing finish to his campaign. He launched a late challenge from well back, eventually battling for second place alongside the unbeaten Zeus Olympios. Neither contender could threaten Opera Ballo’s dominance, and the colt won comfortably by three lengths, offering excellent value for punters.
Appleby praised the effort, noting the quality of the opposition: "It was a great ride from Will and a track you could do that on. Full credit to the horses behind for getting so close, as it was always going to be a tough ask once our lad built up that lead and he maintained the gallop well.
I just loved the way he went down to post today and he just hacked – I knew then he was in a good place." He added that the performance confirmed the colt’s readiness for a step up in distance: "Our plan was always to step back up to nine furlongs for the Prix d'Ispahan. I would imagine that’s where we will go. The Lockinge is of course on the agenda, but Notable Speech is already earmarked for that race." In other betting‑action news, Roger Varian’s Saddadd surged from the rear to claim the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes, opening a range of future possibilities. The four‑year‑old had previously won the London Gold Cup at Newbury and a valuable handicap over the same course and distance last season, before finishing a close third when stepped up to Listed class in Goodwood’s Fountain Stakes.
Sent off at 2‑1 for his seasonal return, Saddadd was driven by Ray Dawson, who timed a late run on the outside to overtake the early leader King Of Cities by a length and three‑quarters. Favoured Almeric trailed in third, five and a half lengths back. Varian described his charge as "an absolute darling of a horse" with a calm temperament and a keen intellect: "If I could put his brain into every good horse I’ve had… he just reminds me of all those good horses with a very good brain to go with it." He continued, "He won here like a really good horse last September and even though he was beaten at Goodwood in a strong Listed race, he wasn’t the same horse.
He needed the winter. We gave him a long spell on firm ground, and although he didn’t race much, he had an extended training period and came back on top." Varian sees Saddadd staying at ten furlongs for the time being, but remains open to longer trips: "Ray was adamant we don’t need to move the goalposts yet.
I think we’ll stay at 10 furlongs for now. He has a relaxed style of running, he’s matured very well, and I liked the way he put the race to bed." Looking ahead, the trainer hinted at Group One ambitions: "We’d love to end up at Ascot in the Champion Stakes. He’ll handle cut ground and will improve throughout the year. Horses who win this race often step up to Group One level, but we still need to test his class.
The Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh could be a good target, but we’ll assess his readiness." Meanwhile, Black Star Boy impressed with a decisive win in the bet365 Handicap at Sandown, putting his name on the list for bigger challenges. The son of Starman, trained by Ed Walker, had previously contested a Listed race as a two‑year‑old and now, at 9‑1, demonstrated his sprinting prowess under jockey Kieran Shoemark. Walker praised the colt’s temperament and speed: "He’s another good advert for his sire and an absolute beast of a horse with a great temperament.
He’s very fast on his dam’s side, so he was always destined to be a sprinter. He got very upset in the stalls at York, then burst out with his tail on fire, pulling like a train.
Today Kieran gave him the perfect ride and he’s an exciting sprinter." The trainer hinted at future plans, noting the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes at Royal Ascot was the original target, but the impressive handicap win could open doors to higher‑level contests: "We’ll see what the handicapper does. I was quite impressed with him today. We tried him in a Listed race last year because we thought he was of that class. Perhaps a Sandy Lane at Haydock next, or another step up.
Time will tell." Overall, the Sandown meeting produced several standout performances that will shape the summer campaign for these horses. Opera Ballo’s dominant mile win positions him as a serious contender for the Prix d'Ispahan and possibly the Lockinge. Saddadd’s resurgence suggests he could be a viable Group One prospect, while Black Star Boy’s sprinting display may earn him a spot in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes or even a Royal Ascot sprint.
The coming weeks will reveal how these connections map out their next steps, but the talent on display at Sandown promises an exciting season ahead for British flat racing.