breednet.com.au

Rising Northern Hemisphere Star for Ghaiyyath

Tara Madgwick - Saturday December 20

As we come to the end of 2025, the stallion sitting on top of the Australian Second Season Sires table is Ghaiyyath (IRE) and one of his promising three year-olds in the Northern Hemisphere this year is Opera Ballo, a commanding winner of the Group II Al Rashidiya (1m1f) at Meydan overnight.

Purchased as a yearling at the Arqana Deauville August Sale by Godolphin for €600,000, Opera Ballo is trained by Charlie Appleby and headed to Dubai with four wins and a second from his previous six starts.

Twice a Listed winner in the UK in May and July, Opera Ballo could be one of those horses that blossom during a working winter break in Dubai and gave notice of that with this sparkling win.

Advertisement

Ridden by William Buick, Opera Ballo started a short priced favourite and surged right away from his Godolphin stablemates Nations Pride and First Conquest to win as he pleased.

Opera Ballo is a three-quarter brother to stakes-placed Dyptique being the second winner from well bred Invincible Spirit mare Dubai Opera, a sibling to Group winners Lockwood and Earnshaw from Group III winner Emily Bronte.

Opera Ballo is one of nine stakes-winners worldwide for Ghaiyyath, who shuttled to Darley Victoria for four seasons, but did not come to Australia this spring.

The champion so of Dubawi has yearlings to be offered in Australia in 2026 with Inglis Premier featuring 17 if his stock.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Magic Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Magic Bloodstock colours made famous by the great champion Winx were in action at Canterbury on Friday night carried to victory in the opening race by promising Wootton Bassett (GB) filly Wootton Way.
Stakes Potential for Hello Youmzain Filly
Attractiveness may be in line for an early black-type assignment following her breakthrough success at Gosford on Thursday.
G3 Eulogy Shines Spotlight On Emerging NZB Filly of the Year Contenders
Undefeated filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) has dominated the early stages of the 2025-26 NZB Filly of the Year Series, but the complexion of the series might start to change with this weekend’s fifth leg.
Russian Revolution Filly Chasing G2 Wakefield Challenge
Young talent Lara Antipova will be heavily in credit with Craig Grylls if she can carry him to victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham.
Sires With Winners - Friday December 19
Here is the full list of 78 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday December 17
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Australian Racing Industry wants a say in pattern dispute
For some time, the Australian racing industry has been seeking to have Racing Australia(RA) resolve the current impasse around the Australian Black Type rules and pattern.
Waller Targets G3 Grand Prix with Kiwi Bred 3YO
The Chris Waller-trained John Dory contests the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, with the progressive galloper installed a $3 favourite for the three-year-old contest.
Magic Fillies Set to Clash in $250,000 MM Debut
Another piece of the Magic Millions puzzle will fall into place at the Gold Coast on Friday night with the running of the $250,000 Magic Millions Debut 2YO Plate (1000m) that features three well bred fillies from major stables that have been impressive at the trials.
Mega Maiden Bonus for Up-And-Comer Chilling Out (NZ)
A lucrative victory in Wednesday’s NZB Mega Maiden Series (1400m) at Ruakaka could be a stepping stone to bigger things for Chilling Out (NZ) (Savabeel).