Justify’s Opera Singer Romps in G1 Prix Marcel Boussac

Justify continued his domination of the second-crop sire list on Sunday when Opera Singer (2f Justify x Liscanna, by Sadler’s Wells) became his third Grade I winner with a victory in the Group I Prix Marcel Boussac.

Racing on the Arc undercard, the flashy bay was sent straight to the front by Ryan Moore in the one-mile turf race and never relinquished control. Having a slightly lead over Darnation early on, when Moore asked her to pick up the pace coming into the final quarter, Opera Singer quickly did just that.

The filly didn’t give the field a chance to catch her, romping home to a five length win with another Scat Daddy granddaughter in third when No Nay Never’s Les Pavots filled the spot.

“Ryan said she was very straightforward,” trainer Aidan O'Brien said. “I thought she was very strong all the way to the line and it was an impressive performance. She's by Justify and they get better with age. As she steps up in trip she's something to look forward to next year.

Opera Singer has quickly proven to be one of the top juveniles in Europe this year with three wins in her five starts. One of her two losses was just by a head with the other coming on debut. Bred by Evie Stockwell, she is trained by O’Brien for Westerberg and Coolmore.

The race was a Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup but O’Brien said that it will be discussed among the ownership before anything is decided.

“She's obviously a filly that would have no problem starting off at a mile in a Classic and you would imagine she would have no problem going up to a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half. Ryan was raving about her there coming in–he said I look forward to this day next year!”

Opera Singer is one of three Grade I winners out of Grade III winner Liscanna. That mare also produced Hit It a Bomb and Brave Anna. The mare’s other foals include the stakes placed duo of Threeandfourpence and Border Town.

Justify leads all second crop sires in every stakes category this year with 10 stakes winners and 19 stakes performers led by seven graded stakes winners. The stallion’s three Grade I winners is best of every Northern Hemisphere second crop sire.