Summer in Full Swing: Winners, Foals and New Arrivals at Opulence - Cornelius Lysaght

Maybe some of the undoubted magic of both Andrew Balding’s and Jack Channon’s fabulous stables rubbed off during the July visits by Opulence owners to see them. 

Because practically from the instant that the last of Anna Lisa’s revered Kingsclere sausage rolls were digested, and the heaving table of goodies at Channon HQ in West Ilsley was cleared, the season went up another gear.

Not that it had been exactly shabby to that point, of course, especially with Sukanya’s memorable victory in the Fred Darling, followed by a honourable sixth at Group One level behind old foe Precise at Royal Ascot. 

But, like the latest heatwave, things keep on hotting up. 

Leading the new charge was the filly Scommessa Sicura – Italian for ‘safe bet’ – when she lived up to her name, ridden by Oisin Murphy, amidst all the finery of Newmarket’s July Festival, deservedly putting behind her a run of hitting the proverbial crossbar.

That was a taking performance, so she will be well-fancied for her next assignment, a step-up to Listed level in the Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury.

Scommessa Sicura gets her head in front during the Newmarket July Festival.

Following Newmarket came the Ed Walker-trained Bymiddaytomorrow, successful twice, making the long journeys north to Ayr and to Thirsk well worth the diesel; then it was Berlinetta’s turn at Windsor (on the same day as Ayr); and soon after that, Sugar Sugar brought home the honey honey at the home of the Epsom Derby. 

Both Berlinetta and Sugar Sugar are testament to the skills of the thriving Channon operation.

That was only Berlinetta’s second run for the team, and they’ve turned her around, just as they have done wonders with Sugar Sugar, a filly bred by Jack’s legendary dad Mick who has sometimes been a bit of a handful – I did mean the horse and not the breeder, though come to think of it…

And a shout-out too to George Bass, the jockey who rode both. George, 26, is a stalwart of the yard, on course for his best season, and he has done some great work with the Opulence horses stabled at West Ilsley. 

Talking of which, don’t miss Sukanya – ridden to victory by George on debut, you’ll recall – when hopefully she goes for the Group Two Hungerford Stakes, back at Newbury, scene of that terrific debut, on Saturday.

Bymiddaytomorrow sheds her maiden tag at Ayr

Berlinetta and George Bass head back in to the winners enclosure

That then is all for the here and now, but there has also been a lot of forward-thinking as the exciting Opulence breeding programme continues to grow.  

Owners were at the historic Galloway Stud at Woburn, Bedfordshire recently to see their lovely foals sired by stallions New Bay and Bradsell; and December Sale purchase Asmira – in foal to Havana Grey – is enjoying life in Nottinghamshire at Whatton Manor Stud, run by the Player family. 

Additionally, there has rightly been a lot of interest in the acquisition by Opulence of the mare Dubai Opera, mother of one of Godolphin’s star milers, Opera Ballo. 

What a notable moment her blue-blooded arrival provides, and there is no better place for a mare of her quality and stature than Luca and Sara Cumani’s fabulous Fittocks Stud outside Newmarket where she is now housed.  

Soon attention will turn to Ireland where mares Sea The Boss and Sun Never Sets, two more late-2025 buys, have taken up residence under the famously watchful eye of Hugo Merry at magnificent Kilshannig Stud in County Cork.

It really is the case that nothing ever stands still at Opulence Thoroughbreds. Please continue to enjoy the ride. 

Dubai Opera and her City Of Troy Foal