Group 1 Miler Opera Ballo Headed to Woodbine Mile

Group 1 winner OPERA BALLO (Ire), third to superstar Bow Echo in last week’s Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood, will be the Godolphin and Charlie Appleby representation in the WOODBINE MILE (G1) on September 12.

Godolphin and Appleby, along with jockey William Buick, have won three of the last four Woodbine Miles with Modern Games, Master of the Seas and last year with Notable Speech. Modern Games and Notable Speech both went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). Notable Speech continues to win big races overseas but he will be going elsewhere in September so Opera Ballo, a son of Ghaiyyath (Ire) will use Woodbine’s big race for his Breeders’ Cup prep.

This year’s Woodbine Mile will return to the E.P. Taylor turf and be a one-turn mile after a year of renovations that moved the race to the inner turf.

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Opera Ballo is a 4-year-old colt who has won seven of his 11 races. He won five of seven in 2025 including the Group 2 Al Rashidiya at 1 1/8 miles in Meydan. This year he won the Group 1 Jebba Hatta at Meydan and the Group 2 Bet 365 Mile at Sandown. He was third by just half a length in the Queen Anne (G1) at Royal Ascot in June before his Sussex outing in which he carried 136 pounds.

On his Sussex Stakes run, jockey William Buick said, “Before the race, I was very conscious of what was going to happen on my outside, pace wise, and we were very happy to take a lead. We were going good, strong fractions and I thought we had a nice lead into the race and he has run his heart out.

“He was giving 8lb to two top notch three-year-olds. Bow Echo is an exceptional horse – he’s unbeaten and I tip my cap to the horse and George Boughey, Billy Loughnane and the whole team, everyone. It takes some doing to stay unbeaten this far down the line.

“I did think we might win two furlongs out, when we were getting rolling and Opera Ballo picked up. Then the three-year-olds just came late, but he’s ran his heart out. He is still a very good horse, held in the highest regard and he’s still got a bright future ahead of him.”

Appleby told Racing TV that Opera Bella, a speedy type of runner, will enjoy North American racing.

“I’m sticking to Plan A which is to take him to Canada. I want to get him there as I think the tracks and style of racing will suit him, going round the bend and an easier mile.

“Doing what he does, if they’re going quick enough and if you get a lead on him then great, if he goes and makes it himself, it wouldn’t worry me as you can get away with it over there. Here, going up and down dale, where they won’t ease off on you, is a different ball game.

“Hopefully that will lead into a Breeders’ Cup. I know we might meet Bow Echo again, but the weights will be different there and as we know, you need a lot of luck around those American tracks – if you are drawn 14 of 14 it can make life a bit different.”

Appleby is also set to send AL HUDAIBA (GB) by Dark Angel (Ire) for the Summer Stakes (G1) for 2-year-olds, also on Mile day. The Godolphin / Appleby combo has won two of the last five Summer Stakes. Al Hudaiba won the Group 2 Superlative Stakes on July 11 and was third by half a length in the Group 2 Coral Vintage Stakes on July 28. He has won three of five races but has also had a habit of racing erratically, giving away a likely win in May when he dropped jockey Tom Marquand in the late stages of the Novice Stakes.

Al Hudaiba is a grey colt and is the 75th black type winner for his sire Dark Angel.