Opera Ballo gallant in defeat with G1 Sussex Stakes third

Opera Ballo yielded late on to finish a brave third behind top three-year-olds Bow Echo and Gstaad in a blockbuster edition of the G1 Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on Wednesday, 29 July.

The Ghaiyyath colt had been caught in the final strides when filling the same position in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes and was once again electric from the gates, although he raced freely as Qirat and Dorset pressed the Charlie Appleby-trained runner for the early lead.

Dorset and Qirat went on after the first quarter-mile, with Opera Ballo continuing to race exuberantly in a clear third before William Buick angled out the G1 Jebel Hatta winner with just over three furlongs left.

Opera Ballo cruised into the lead entering the final quarter-mile and still held a clear advantage, despite drifting into the far rail, as Gstaad emerged from the chasing pack a furlong from home.

Gstaad reeled in Opera Ballo half a furlong out, with Bow Echo flying home to get up near the line and maintain his unbeaten record. The winner, a Night Of Thunder colt, is now perfect in six starts and was adding to his wins in the 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes.

Opera Ballo stuck to his task in third to go down by just over two lengths in total, finishing half a length ahead of Queen Anne Stakes victor Ten Bob Tony.

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.”