'It was a very strong performance' - Opera Singer has connections dreaming of Classic glory after routing rivals

Wildly impressive Prix Marcel Boussac winner Opera Singer shot to the top of the ante-post charts for both the Qipco 1,000 Guineas and the Betfred Oaks after leaving her Longchamp rivals in the dust.

However, the Classics may not be big enough dreams for the Ballydoyle inner circle after Aidan O'Brien reported that Ryan Moore's first thoughts after the race were that he was already looking forward to Paris with the filly on the first Sunday in October 2024.

O'Brien was joining Criquette Head and Pascal Bary as five-time Boussac winners, and he produced Found to win this race in 2014, two years before she led home a stable 1-2-3 in the Arc itself.

"The first thing Ryan said coming back in was this filly will be coming back here this day next year," said O'Brien. "That’s what he’s dreaming about. 

"Found just had to be produced late, but this filly is even more straightforward. Ryan might not have said it to all of you, but he said it to me."

O'Brien had a pretty good line into the French form through Opera Singer's dominant display in the Newtownanner Stud Stakes, a race from which the third-placed filly, Kalispera, went on to be beaten just a neck in a Group 3 here at Longchamp.  

"She did the same the last day at the Curragh," said O'Brien. "We started her over seven furlongs, but we always felt that when she stepped up to a mile she would change completely. What she did the last day at the Curragh was the very same thing. 

"Obviously this was a Group 1, but she’s very straightforward, you can ride her forward and she’s very relaxed, very genuine and quickens very well." 

Opera Singer controlled the race from the front and her rivals were not able to live with her when she hit top gear. Extending clear under Ryan Moore, Opera Singer was well on top at the line. She was cut to 5-1 favourite (from 16-1) for the 1,000 Guineas with Paddy Power and to 6-1 favourite (from 16-1) for the Oaks with William Hill.

Moore felt there would be more to come at three and that she will handle a step up in trip following a tilt at the Guineas. 

"She’s by Justify and we think they get better with age and as they step up in trip, so we think she’s something to look forward to next year," said Moore. "She showed speed here today, but I think she’ll be very comfortable at a mile and even going up to a mile and a half perhaps.

"I thought she was impressive all the way through the line and I thought it was a very strong performance."

Opera Singer in the winner's enclosure with Ryan Moore and part-owner Derrick Smith (left)Credit: Edward Whitaker

O'Brien confirmed that a trip to the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita could be on the cards, depending how Opera Singer is in ten days time. 

Rose Bloom ran a race full of promise, chasing the winner hard and holding the finish of Les Pavots to ensure a French-trained filly filled the lower two steps of the podium.

Trainer Nicolas Clement said of Rose Bloom: "That's super. She had a good trip behind the winner – albeit she was a bit lit up – and accelerated very well at the end.

"We were beaten by a very good filly, but we were first home of the French and have a lot to look forward to. I think that will be it for the year."

Do you want £400+ of free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.