Opera Ballo delivered a stunning front‑running display to capture the bet365 Mile at Sandown, confirming his status as a top‑class performer. The Ghaiyyath colt had already shown great promise, winning four of his first five starts, and although he was outclassed by Zeus Olympios in the Joel Stakes at Newmarket last autumn, he rebounded with two dominant victories in Dubai. Entering the Group Two contest as the third‑most fancied runner at 4‑1, Charlie Appleby sent the horse straight to the lead with William Buick aboard, allowing Opera Ballo to dictate the pace from the outset. Last year’s Irish Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner Field Of Gold, the even‑money favourite hoping to rebound from a disappointing end to the previous season, was forced to come from well off the pace to mount his challenge.
He ultimately secured second place, beating the previously unbeaten Zeus Olympios in a hard‑fought duel for the placings. Neither of those rivals ever truly threatened Opera Ballo, who won comfortably by three lengths, delivering excellent value for the price. Appleby explained the tactical thinking behind the ride: “William and I were talking yesterday and there was no clear pace scenario, so we decided to let him do what his sire did – jump and run. He’s electric out of the gates, and Will always says he can gain two or three lengths straight from the start.” The trainer praised Buick’s ride and the quality of the opposition: “It was a great ride from Will and a track that suited that style.
Full credit to the horses behind for staying close – once our lad built that lead it was always going to be a tough ask to catch him, but he maintained the gallop beautifully.” Appleby added that the performance confirmed the colt’s fitness: “I loved the way he settled at the finish – he was hacking, which told me he was in a good place. People may say he’s the fit horse, but that was back in January; perhaps that recent run helped.” Looking ahead, Appleby hinted at a step up in distance: “Our plan has always been to stretch him to nine furlongs for the Prix d’Ispahan. The Lockinge is also on the agenda, but Notable Speech is earmarked for that race.” In the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes, Roger Varian’s Saddadd produced a dramatic come‑from‑behind victory, opening a range of intriguing possibilities for the four‑year‑old. Saddadd 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 in the Listed Fountain Stakes at Goodwood.
Sent off at 2‑1, he was guided by Ray Dawson on the outside, surged past the front‑running King Of Cities by a length and three‑quarters, with favourite Almeric trailing in third. Varian raved about his charge: “He’s an absolute darling – in the paddock he was asleep, with a delightful temperament. If I could put his brain into every good horse I’ve trained, it would be a dream. He won here like a real class horse last September, and although he was beaten at Goodwood in a strong Listed race, he needed the winter to recover.” He continued, “He had a long spell of training on firm ground last year, which may have taken its toll, but now he’s matured.
Ray was adamant we shouldn’t rush the goalposts, so we’ll stick to ten furlongs for the time being. He runs relaxed and has shown great improvement.” Varian also outlined future ambitions: “We love him and hope he can become a Group One contender.
The next race will tell. I can see him at Ascot in the Champion Stakes – he handles cut ground well and should improve throughout the year. Winners of this race often step up to Group One level, though this field wasn’t quite that standard. He’ll run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, and we’ll assess whether he’s ready for that level.” He added, “We’d like to return here for the Eclipse in the summer; he’s won twice over this course and distance.
Could he be a Royal Ascot horse? Perhaps a mile and a quarter campaign, maybe the Brigadier Gerard or a step up to a mile and a half in the Hardwicke.” Another highlight was Black Star Boy’s impressive win in the bet365 Handicap at Sandown. Trained by Ed Walker, the son of Starman proved his class by winning at 9‑1 under Kieran Shoemark. Having contested a Listed race at two, the colt now looks poised for higher‑grade contests.
Walker sees a potential Royal Ascot target in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes, but the victory may open doors to even more ambitious plans. Walker praised his charge: “He’s a fantastic advert for his sire – a true beast with a great temperament. He inherits speed from his dam’s side, so a sprinter’s profile was always expected, and he’s been training beautifully at home.” He recounted a rough start at York, where the horse became agitated in the stalls, but noted that Shoemark delivered a perfect ride at Sandown, allowing the colt to unleash his speed.
“The Palace of Holyroodhouse was always the plan, but we’ll see what the handicapper decides. We entered him in a Listed race last year because we believed he was of that class. Maybe we’ll try Sandy Lane at Haydock next – we’ll let the handicapper guide us.” Overall, the meeting at Sandown produced several compelling narratives, from Opera Ballo’s dominant mile victory and the strategic plans for his future campaigns, to Saddadd’s resurgence under Varian and Black Star Boy’s rising star potential.
These performances underscore the depth of talent in the current racing season and set the stage for exciting battles in upcoming Group races and classic festivals across the UK and Europe.