Leading British One Thousand Guineas (G1) contender Opera Singer is an unlikely runner in the Newmarket classic due to a setback, trainer Aidan O’Brien has reported.
The daughter of Justify , who races for the Coolmore partnership, had been as short as 4-1 for the race since recording a five-length victory in the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) at ParisLongchamp, a performance that led to her being crowned Europe’s champion 2-year-old filly.
However, her preparation has been held up two weeks, and O’Brien suggested she could return in the Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) May 26 instead.
O’Brien told Racing TV: “Opera Singer is a little bit behind and might not make the English Guineas. The colts [City Of Troy and Henry Longfellow ] are good and forward and where we want them to be.
“She had had a little setback and had to have two weeks easy. When you have that, it’s difficult enough to get to the English Guineas. It’s possible, but I’d say it’s more unlikely than likely and she could end up starting at the Curragh rather than in England.
“We won’t force her. She’s a beautiful, big filly and I’m very happy with her. She’s had a couple of easy weeks, so we just need to be aware of that.”
Bred in Kentucky by Mrs. E. Stockwell, Opera Singer is out of group 3 winner Liscanna , by Sadler’s Wells. She is a half sister to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner Hit It A Bomb and European highweight 2-year-old filly Brave Anna , both by War Front .
