Impressive Blandford Stakes (G2) winner Lumiere Rock will bid to add a group 1 success to her CV in the Prix de l’Opera (G1) at Longchamp Oct. 1, with connections saying the 3-year-old has “exceeded everyone’s expectations” after being sourced for just 55,000 guineas as a yearling.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained filly has never finished outside the first four in 10 starts and could meet Jannah Rose again after finishing a head behind her at Deauville last month before storming to a three-length victory in the Blandford at the Curragh.
Mitch Barry, racing manager to owners Rockfield Stud, said: “She was very impressive in the Blandford. Joseph said after she ran at Deauville the cheekpieces might sharpen her up and that worked 100%.
“She seems to be improving with every run and Joseph has done a fantastic job with her. I think she goes on any ground; it was very firm ground at Ascot when she finished second in the Ribblesdale and she has form on soft. Dylan [Browne McMonagle] takes the ride which is great as he was brilliant on her at the Curragh.”
Lumiere Rock has proved an astute purchase for connections having accumulated just shy of £250,000 in prize-money and will be bidding to give the O’Flynn family, who own Rockfield Stud and achieved top-level success over jumps with China Rock in the Punchestown Gold Cup, their first group 1 winner.
Barry said: “Barry Lynch and I sourced her and Joseph liked her as well. Joe Hernan bred her, he was a previous manager of mine at Castlehyde and we knew she was coming from a good home. She has far exceeded everyone’s expectations, it’s a dream. The O’Flynn family have had some high-class horses on the Flat such as Saddler’s Rock and Galileo Rock but she is probably their most successful in that sphere now.”
Head: Blue Rose Cen Has Fair Chance
You know it is a good day’s racing when there is a dual Classic winner in action and she runs on the undercard rather than in the main event. In fact, the high-class Blue Rose Cen once looked a potentially serious contender for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).
She stood at single-figure odds after trotting up by four lengths in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (G1), adding to earlier success in the Poule d’Essai Des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas) (G1).
And defeat in the Nassau Stakes (G1) at Goodwood did little to dent her reputation as she was stopped in her run, under a jockey having his first ride on that tricky track, yet was still beaten little more than a length into fourth.
Trainer Christopher Head said: “I think the distance found her out in the Vermeille. She has done so well between a mile and 2,000 metres and now we know (she doesn’t stay 1 1/2 miles). It will be important when it comes to making her program with the owner for next season. I think she has a fair chance in the Opera.”
The Prix de l’Opera is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge: Win and You’re In event offering a fees-paid and travel-paid berth to the World Championships to be held at Santa Anita Park Nov. 3-4.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
