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Opera Ballo

Opera Ballo is a four-year-old horse that has quietly become one of the most consistent performers in British racing. With six wins from eleven races, the horse wins roughly half of everything it enters—a win rate that puts it among the genuine top tier. What makes this record even more striking is where those wins have come: two of them in Class 1 races, the kind of top-level competition where most horses are just grateful to finish in the money. At the highest level, Opera Ballo wins one in every two races, which is the sort of form that separates serious contenders from the rest.Based on TrackLab's analysis
Quick facts
Age
4 years old
Sex
Colt
Colour
Bay
Father
Ghaiyyath
Mother
Dubai Opera
Trainer
C Appleby
Owner
Godolphin
Official rating
125

📊 Key numbers

Career totals for this horse
11
Career races
6
Wins
54.5%
Win rate
avg ~10%
81.8%
Top-3 rate
avg ~30%
81 days
Since last race

🔍 Full analysis

Our model's view, based on this horse's career and recent runs
TrackLab's detailed breakdown

The partnership between Opera Ballo and jockey William Buick has been the backbone of this success. In seven races together, they have won five times—a win rate of 71 percent that suggests genuine understanding between horse and rider. Buick clearly knows how to get the best out of this animal, and the yard have clearly recognized that by keeping him in the saddle whenever possible. The trainer is C Appleby, based at Newmarket, whose yard has sent out 121 winners this season alone, so Opera Ballo is operating in a first-class environment.

The horse's recent form has been mixed but productive. In its last six races, it has won two and placed another four times, including a second-place finish just one day ago, which means it remains actively campaigned and sharp. The most recent victory came three months back at Sandown Park on 24 April 2026, but the bigger picture is reassuring: Opera Ballo has proven itself at both Newmarket and Sandown, two of Britain's most prestigious tracks, winning at both. This is a horse that does not just beat inferior opponents—it competes and wins where it matters most.

⚡ Strengths and risks

What helps this horse and what to watch out for
✓ What works in their favour
✔ Strong overall win rate: wins 55% of races
✔ Effective partnership with William Buick: 71% win rate together
⚠ What to watch out for
⚠ Poor record on good_to_firm ground: 1 wins from 4 starts

🎯 Where this horse runs best

Results split by ground, distance, race level and track shape
🌧 Ground
Good (a little give)
Ok
Standard to slow (all-weather)
Unknown
Yielding (slightly soft)
Unknown
Good to firm (fairly firm)
Avoids
📏 Race distance
1M1F – 1M2F
🏅 Race level
Class 1 (elite)
Ok
Class 3 (mid-level)
Unknown
Class 5 (entry-level)
Unknown
🏟 Track shape
Right-handed, long straights
Long straights
Unknown
Right-handed, hilly
Unknown

📅 Recent runs

The last 10 races, most recent first
29 Jul
3rd
Goodwood
1m1f – 1m2f · Good_To_Firm · 12 runners
16 Jun
3rd
Ascot
1m1f – 1m2f · Good_To_Firm · 9 runners
24 Apr
🏆 Won
Sandown Park
1m1f – 1m2f · Good · 6 runners
23 Jan
DNF
meydan
1m1f – 1m2f · Good · 6 runners
19 Dec
🏆 Won
meydan
1m1f – 1m2f · Yielding · 7 runners
26 Sep
2nd
Newmarket
1m1f – 1m2f · Good_To_Firm · 7 runners
10 Jul
🏆 Won
Newmarket
1m1f – 1m2f · Good_To_Firm · 8 runners
29 May
🏆 Won
Sandown Park
1m1f – 1m2f · Good · 7 runners
16 Apr
6th
Newmarket
1m1f – 1m2f · Good · 9 runners
26 Feb
🏆 Won
Kempton Park
1m1f – 1m2f · Standard_To_Slow · 6 runners

🏇 Jockeys

Every jockey who has ridden this horse, most rides first
71.4%
Win rate
5/7
Wins / rides
100%
Win rate
1/1
Wins / rides
0%
Win rate
0/1
Wins / rides

🏟 Course record

Win rate at each course this horse has visited
CourseRacesResultsLast runWin rate
Newmarket
Galloping
3 1 win, 1 second, 1 other 26 Sep 33.3%
Sandown Park
Galloping
2 2 wins 24 Apr 100%
Kempton Park
Galloping
2 2 wins 26 Feb 100%
meydan 2 1 win, 1 other 23 Jan 50%
Ascot
Galloping
1 1 third 16 Jun 0%
Goodwood
Undulating
1 1 third 29 Jul 0%