Breeders’ Cup heroine Audarya is out to succeed where she narrowly failed 12 months ago on Sunday, when she heads the line-up for the G1 Prix de l’Opera.
The 1m2f event for fillies and mares is one of five Breeders’ Cup Challenge races on the Arc card at ParisLongchamp – and last year’s race produced not one, but two subsequent winners at Keeneland as the winner Tarnawa went on to take the Turf and Audarya, only a length away in third, claimed the Filly & Mare Turf.
While Tarnawa bids for greater glory on Sunday in the €5 million highlight, Audarya bids for her first victory of 2021 in the Longines-sponsored Opera.
Not that she has been underperforming, mind you, as the 5-year-old’s season has been geared towards this weekend and her subsequent defence of her title at Del Mar on November 5.
Last time out she was beaten only in the final stride in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville by Grand Glory, who reopposes in the Opera.
Thundering Nights and Ambition, third and fourth that day, are also back for more but bigger threats are posed by Prix de Diane (French Oaks) winner Joan Of Arc and progressive Sibila Spain, while German-trained Palmas won her nation’s Oaks by six lengths at the start of August.
Prix de l’Opera: A bit of context
History: Originally a G2 for 3- and 4-year-old fillies, the Prix de l’Opera was established in 1974 at a slightly shorter trip. Upped to 2,000 metres (1m2f) and opened to older mares, it became a G1 at the turn of the century. Athyka (1988, 1989) is the only dual winner.
Star turn: Tarnawa (2020) – Aga Khan’s Prix Vermeille winner wasn’t entered in last year’s Arc, which looked a bit of an oversight as, after moving into contention from the rear two out under Christophe Soumillon, she displayed an impressive turn of foot on heavy ground to grab Alpine Star close home. They entered her for the Arc this time around!
Most wins (trainer): Criquette Head-Maarek (5): Reine Mathilde (1984), Mona Stella (1987), Athyka (1988, 1989), Hatoof (1992)
Most wins (jockey): Yves Saint-Martin, Walter Swinburn, Cash Asmussen, Christophe Soumillon (all 3)
Breeders’ Cup Challenge
The winner will receive an automatic fees-paid berth in the $2m Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar on November 6. A minimum travel allowance of $40,000 will also be provided for all starters based outside North America.
Already qualified (6): Queen Supreme (Paddock Stakes), Gran Alegria (Victoria Mile), Reina De Mollendo (Gran Premio Pamplona), Snowfall (Yorkshire Oaks), War Like Goddess (Flower Bowl), No Speak Alexander (Matron Stakes)
Breeders’ Cup past performance
After winning the Vermeille, Tarnawa claimed the second leg of her G1 treble here last year before a decisive victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
As well as last year’s third, Audarya, scoring at Keeneland, recent Opera winners Nahrain (2011), Rhododendron (2017) and Wild Illusion (2018) all came second at the Breeders’ Cup.
Top contenders for 2021
Audarya (James Fanshawe/Ioritz Mendizabal) – high-class filly who took her form to new level last autumn with Breeders’ Cup victory; yet to win as 5-year-old but second to Love at Royal Ascot and touched off last time at Deauville; should be cherry-ripe now.
Grand Glory (Gianluca Bietolini/Frankie Dettori) – admirable performer achieved “dream come true” for trainer with first G1 win in Prix Jean Romanet, in which she short-headed Audarya for shock 23/1 success; consistent enough in lower grade at 1m2f before that top-level breakthrough but was Classic-placed at 3 and could be back at that level; set for paddocks after this.
Joan Of Arc (Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore) – major threat at her best, as when driven to win Prix de Diane over slightly further at Chantilly in June (Burgarita and Sibila Spain among those behind); also narrowly beaten in Irish Guineas on heavy ground; supporters must draw a line through last outing (last of seven in Prix Vermeille, didn’t stay over 1m4f); better at this 1m2f distance.