Opera House (horse)
Encyclopedia
Opera House is a retired British thoroughbred
racehorse and active sire. As a racehorse, he is best known for his performances as a five-year-old in 1993, when he won three Group One
races and was named European Champion Older Horse. He was retired to stud in Japan where his progeny including T M Opera O
.
, was bred by the Meon Valley Stud in Hampshire
. He was sired by Sadler's Wells
, out of Colorspin, a daughter of High Top.
Sadler's Wells (1981-2001) won three Group One
races in 1984 and went on to sire the winners of over 2,000 races including more than 130 at Group One
/Grade I
level. He was the most successful sire in the history of British racing being the leading Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland a record fourteen times.
Colorspin won the Irish Oaks and was a half-sister of the Prix de l'Opera
winner Bella Colora and the Irish Champion Stakes
winner Cezanne. Apart from Opera House, she also produced his full brother, the champion stayer Kayf Tara
and the Prix de l'Opera winner Zee Zee Top.
Opera House raced in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed
and was trained throughout his career by Michael Stoute
at Newmarket, Suffolk. His most regular jockeys were Steve Cauthen
and Michael Roberts
.
in October he started odds on for an eleven runner maiden race and pulled clear in the closing stages to win by ten lengths.
Shortly after the race, Opera House was exercising at Newmarket when he tripped and fell on a road. He sustained a fracture to his pastern
which put his career in jeopardy and kept him of the course for eleven months.
. Three weeks later, he was beaten a neck by the future Prince of Wales's Stakes
winner Perpendicular in a Listed
at Goodwood
. On his final start of the year he was moved up to Group Three
class for the St. Simon Stakes
at Newbury
. He led in the straight before fading in the final furlong and finishing fourth to Further Flight
.
he looked unlucky in running and did well to finish third behind Dear Doctor (Arlington Million
) and Red Bishop (Hong Kong Vase
). He then recorded his first major win when getting up in the last stride to beat Zoman (Washington, D.C. International
) in the Tattersalls Gold Cup
at The Curragh
. Ten days later he returned to England to win the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes
at Sandown.
Opera House lost his next three starts, beginning with a disappointing sixth place in the Prince of Wales's Stakes
at Royal Ascot. He was moved up to Group One
level and performed with credit, finishing second to Kooyonga
in the Eclipse Stakes
and third to St Jovite
in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
After a short break he returned to win his third important win of the season, staying on gamely to beat Red Bishop by one and a half lengths in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes
Previewing the race, one correspondent as a described Opera Hose "consistent slugger"- a brave and dependable horse, rather than a brilliant one. Plans to send the horse to America for the Breeders' Cup Turf
did not come to fruition.
On his debut he traveled to France for the first time for the Prix Ganay
at Longchamp, where he led in the straight before being caught close home and narrowly beaten by Vert Amande
.
At the Derby
meeting at Epsom
in June he recorded his first Group One win when getting up to win the Coronation Cup
in a "blanket finish" from Environment Friend and Apple Tree.
A month later he took the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, leading in the straight and holding off the late challenge of the Italian champion Misil by a short-head. The beaten horses included the Breeders' Cup
winners Barathea
and Arcangues
. Opera House was ridden at Sandown by Michael Kinane
as Roberts chose to ride Barathea, whom he felt would be better suited by the fast ground. The Independent
's correspondent described the performance as "commendable" whilst questioning the overall value of the form.
In the King George at Ascot, Opera House was made 8/1 third favourite in a strong field, behind the Epsom Derby
winner Commander in Chief
and the 1992 European Horse of the Year User Friendly
. Ridden by Michael Roberts
, Opera House tracked the leaders before being moved into the lead two furlongs out and stayed on strongly to beat White Muzzle by one and a half lengths with Commander in Chief third. After the race, Stoute praised the horse, saying "I hope for his sake they'll now give him some credit."
On his next start Opera House was made evens favourite for the Irish Champion Stakes
at Leopardstown
. He took the lead in the straight but was caught inside the final furlong and beaten half a length by Muhtarram
. In the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
at Longchamp in October he took the lead in the straight and ran on under pressure after being headed to finish third, beaten a neck and half a length by Urban Sea
and White Muzzle. Stoute offered no excuses, although he pointed out that the very soft ground might not have suited the horse. On his final start he traveled to California
for the Breeders' Cup Turf
in which he finished sixth behind Kotashaan
.
An invitation to run in the Japan Cup
was declined, and Opera House was retired to stud by his new owners, the Japan Racing Association
.
In the International Classification for 1993, Opera House was rated the best older horse in Europe with a figure of 129, one pound below the three-year-old champion Zafonic
.
in Japan.
His progeny include the World's leading money earner T M Opera O
(Japan Cup
, Arima Kinen
, Tenno Sho
), and Meisho Samson
(Japanese Derby
, Tenno Sho
).
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse and active sire. As a racehorse, he is best known for his performances as a five-year-old in 1993, when he won three Group One
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
races and was named European Champion Older Horse. He was retired to stud in Japan where his progeny including T M Opera O
T M Opera O
T M Opera O was a Japanese thoroughbred racehorse, sired by Opera House, a son of Sadler's Wells, out of Once Wed, a daughter of Blushing Groom. T.M. Opera O was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2004.T.M. Opera O was the world's all-time leading money-earner...
.
Background
Opera House, a bay horse with a white starHorse markings
Markings on horses usually are distinctive white areas on an otherwise dark base coat color. Most horses have some markings, and they help to identify the horse as a unique individual. Markings are present at birth and do not change over the course of the horse's life...
, was bred by the Meon Valley Stud in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. He was sired by Sadler's Wells
Sadler's Wells (horse)
Sadler's Wells was a Thoroughbred racehorse that was later a leading sire in France, Great Britain & Ireland and North America during the 1990s. He was foaled in 1981 in the United States, but achieved most of his racing and breeding fame in Europe....
, out of Colorspin, a daughter of High Top.
Sadler's Wells (1981-2001) won three Group One
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
races in 1984 and went on to sire the winners of over 2,000 races including more than 130 at Group One
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
/Grade I
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
level. He was the most successful sire in the history of British racing being the leading Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland a record fourteen times.
Colorspin won the Irish Oaks and was a half-sister of the Prix de l'Opera
Prix de l'Opéra
The Prix de l'Opéra is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early October.The event was established in 1974, and it was...
winner Bella Colora and the Irish Champion Stakes
Irish Champion Stakes
The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and...
winner Cezanne. Apart from Opera House, she also produced his full brother, the champion stayer Kayf Tara
Kayf Tara
Kayf Tara is a United Kingdom Thoroughbred racehorse owned by Godolphin Stables who won the Cartier European Top Stayer three years in a row from 1998, through 2000....
and the Prix de l'Opera winner Zee Zee Top.
Opera House raced in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , also Sheikh Mohammed, , is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates , and absolute monarch of Dubai.-Personal life and education:...
and was trained throughout his career by Michael Stoute
Michael Stoute
Sir Michael Ronald Stoute is a Barbadian British thoroughbred horse trainer in flat racing. Stoute, whose father was the Chief of police for Barbados, left the island in 1964 at the age of 19 to become an assistant to trainer Pat Rohan and began training horses on his own in 1972...
at Newmarket, Suffolk. His most regular jockeys were Steve Cauthen
Steve Cauthen
Steve Cauthen is a retired American jockey.Cauthen, the son of a trainer and a farrier, grew up in Walton, Kentucky around horses, which made race-riding a logical career choice. He rode his first race on May 12, 1976 at Churchill Downs; he finished last, riding King of Swat...
and Michael Roberts
Michael Roberts (jockey)
Michael Roberts is a South African jockey currently residing in Suffolk, England, with his wife Verna and two daughters, Melanie and Carolyn. Roberts has had a successful career, winning many English and South African races multiple times. He was British flat racing Champion Jockey in 1992...
.
1990: two-year-old season
Opera House did not appear on a racecourse until the Autumn of 1990. At LeicesterLeicester Racecourse
Leicester Racecourse is a horse-racing course in Oadby, Leicestershire, England.The course is oval shaped and nearly 2 miles in extent. It was opened ante 1773....
in October he started odds on for an eleven runner maiden race and pulled clear in the closing stages to win by ten lengths.
Shortly after the race, Opera House was exercising at Newmarket when he tripped and fell on a road. He sustained a fracture to his pastern
Pastern
The pastern is a part of the leg of a horse between the fetlock and the top of the hoof. It incorporates the long pastern bone and the short pastern bone , which are held together by two sets of paired ligaments to form the pastern joint...
which put his career in jeopardy and kept him of the course for eleven months.
1991: three-year-old season
Opera House's three-year-old debut was delayed by his recuperation from injury and he did not race until September, when he won a three runner race at NottinghamNottingham Racecourse
Nottingham Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England. It is situated at Colwick Park, close to the River Trent and about 3 km east of the city centre....
. Three weeks later, he was beaten a neck by the future Prince of Wales's Stakes
Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
winner Perpendicular in a Listed
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
at Goodwood
Goodwood Racecourse
Goodwood Racecourse is a horse-racing track five miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, in England controlled by the family of the Duke of Richmond, whose seat is nearby Goodwood House...
. On his final start of the year he was moved up to Group Three
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
class for the St. Simon Stakes
St. Simon Stakes
The St. Simon Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 5 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event is named after St. Simon, an...
at Newbury
Newbury Racecourse
Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps...
. He led in the straight before fading in the final furlong and finishing fourth to Further Flight
Further Flight
Further Flight was an Irish-bred, British-trained thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the Jockey Club Cup for five successive years...
.
1992: four-year-old season
On his 1992 debut, Opera House put up his best performance to date. Although he was beaten in the Gordon Richards StakesGordon Richards Stakes
The Gordon Richards Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.The event was established in 1963, and...
he looked unlucky in running and did well to finish third behind Dear Doctor (Arlington Million
Arlington Million
The Arlington Million is a Grade 1 flathorse race in the United States for thoroughbred horses aged three years and upward. It is raced over a distance of 1¼ miles on the turf at Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois in August each year...
) and Red Bishop (Hong Kong Vase
Hong Kong Vase
The Hong Kong Vase is a Group 1 flat horse race in Hong Kong which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres at Sha Tin, and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid December....
). He then recorded his first major win when getting up in the last stride to beat Zoman (Washington, D.C. International
Washington, D.C. International
The Washington, D.C. International was an American Grade I invitational horse race. Inaugurated in 1952, it was raced on turf in Laurel, Maryland at a distance of 1½ miles and attracted the best horses in North America and Europe. It was held annually until 1994, when it was replaced by the...
) in the Tattersalls Gold Cup
Tattersalls Gold Cup
The Tattersalls Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 110 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
at The Curragh
Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
. Ten days later he returned to England to win the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes
Brigadier Gerard Stakes
The Brigadier Gerard Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May or early June.The event was established in...
at Sandown.
Opera House lost his next three starts, beginning with a disappointing sixth place in the Prince of Wales's Stakes
Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
at Royal Ascot. He was moved up to Group One
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
level and performed with credit, finishing second to Kooyonga
Kooyonga
Kooyonga was an Irish champion Thoroughbred racehorse who raced from 1990 to 1992. After showing good form as a juvenile, she had a highly successful three-year-old campaign, winning the Group One Irish 1000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes and being named European Champion Three-Year-Old Filly ...
in the Eclipse Stakes
Eclipse Stakes
The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a...
and third to St Jovite
St Jovite
St Jovite is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred and raced by American Virginia Kraft Payson, he was sired by Pleasant Colony, winner of the 1981 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He was out of Ms...
in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
After a short break he returned to win his third important win of the season, staying on gamely to beat Red Bishop by one and a half lengths in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes
Cumberland Lodge Stakes
The Cumberland Lodge Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September.The event is named after Cumberland Lodge,...
Previewing the race, one correspondent as a described Opera Hose "consistent slugger"- a brave and dependable horse, rather than a brilliant one. Plans to send the horse to America for the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
did not come to fruition.
1993: five-year-old season
As a five-year-old, Opera House contested seven races, all of them at Group One level, and won three times. He was ridden in all but one of his races by Michael RobertsMichael Roberts (jockey)
Michael Roberts is a South African jockey currently residing in Suffolk, England, with his wife Verna and two daughters, Melanie and Carolyn. Roberts has had a successful career, winning many English and South African races multiple times. He was British flat racing Champion Jockey in 1992...
On his debut he traveled to France for the first time for the Prix Ganay
Prix Ganay
The Prix Ganay is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May....
at Longchamp, where he led in the straight before being caught close home and narrowly beaten by Vert Amande
Vert Amande
Vert Amande is an Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by Baron Guy de Rothschild at his Haras de Meautry in Lower Normandy, he was purchased and raced by the prominent Spanish industrialist, Enrique Sarasola....
.
At the Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
meeting at Epsom
Epsom Downs Racecourse
Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse near Epsom, Surrey, England. The "downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs. The course is best known for hosting the Epsom Derby, the United Kingdom's premier thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old colts and fillies, over a mile and a half...
in June he recorded his first Group One win when getting up to win the Coronation Cup
Coronation Cup
The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
in a "blanket finish" from Environment Friend and Apple Tree.
A month later he took the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, leading in the straight and holding off the late challenge of the Italian champion Misil by a short-head. The beaten horses included the Breeders' Cup
Breeders' Cup
The Breeders' Cup World Championships is an annual series of Thoroughbred horse races, most but not all Grade I, operated by Breeders' Cup Limited, a company formed in 1982. From its inception in 1984 through 2006, it was a single-day event; starting in 2007, it expanded to two days. The location...
winners Barathea
Barathea (horse)
Barathea was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the 1994 Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs. He went on to become a successful stallion.-Background:...
and Arcangues
Arcangues (horse)
Arcangues was a Thoroughbred racehorse and sire from France.The son of owner Daniel Wildenstein's 1984 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sagace, he was given the name of the village of Arcangues in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques departement of the Aquitaine region...
. Opera House was ridden at Sandown by Michael Kinane
Michael Kinane
Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009....
as Roberts chose to ride Barathea, whom he felt would be better suited by the fast ground. The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
's correspondent described the performance as "commendable" whilst questioning the overall value of the form.
In the King George at Ascot, Opera House was made 8/1 third favourite in a strong field, behind the Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
winner Commander in Chief
Commander in Chief (horse)
Commander in Chief was a British thoroughbred racehorse, foaled in 1990 by Dancing Brave out of Slightly Dangerous. His damsire was the 1972 Epsom Derby winner Roberto, and his grandsire was Lyphard, a son of Northern Dancer....
and the 1992 European Horse of the Year User Friendly
User Friendly (horse)
User Friendly is a European Champion Thoroughbred racehorse.-Background:Bred by Stetchworth Park Stud Ltd...
. Ridden by Michael Roberts
Michael Roberts (jockey)
Michael Roberts is a South African jockey currently residing in Suffolk, England, with his wife Verna and two daughters, Melanie and Carolyn. Roberts has had a successful career, winning many English and South African races multiple times. He was British flat racing Champion Jockey in 1992...
, Opera House tracked the leaders before being moved into the lead two furlongs out and stayed on strongly to beat White Muzzle by one and a half lengths with Commander in Chief third. After the race, Stoute praised the horse, saying "I hope for his sake they'll now give him some credit."
On his next start Opera House was made evens favourite for the Irish Champion Stakes
Irish Champion Stakes
The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and...
at Leopardstown
Leopardstown Racecourse
Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse...
. He took the lead in the straight but was caught inside the final furlong and beaten half a length by Muhtarram
Muhtarram
Muhtarram is a thoroughbred race horse. He won the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot twice, in addition to the Irish Champion Stakes and the Premio Presidente della Repubblica in Italy.-External links:* at Racing Post...
. In the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
at Longchamp in October he took the lead in the straight and ran on under pressure after being headed to finish third, beaten a neck and half a length by Urban Sea
Urban Sea
Urban Sea was a French Thoroughbred racemare best known for winning France's most prestigious race in 1993 and for her importance as a world class broodmare. She is one of only two mares to ever produce two Epsom Derby winners, namely Galileo and Sea the Stars...
and White Muzzle. Stoute offered no excuses, although he pointed out that the very soft ground might not have suited the horse. On his final start he traveled to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
for the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
in which he finished sixth behind Kotashaan
Kotashaan
Kotashaan was an Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in France and earned Champion honors in the United States. He was bred and raced by brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, owners of the House of Chanel in Paris. Kotashaan was sired by Darshaan, winner of the 1984 French Derby and the Leading...
.
An invitation to run in the Japan Cup
Japan Cup
The is the most prestigious horse race run in Japan. It is contested at the end of November at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo at a distance of 2400 meters over the grass. With a purse of ¥476 million , the Japan Cup is one of the richest races in the world.The Japan Cup is an invitational event...
was declined, and Opera House was retired to stud by his new owners, the Japan Racing Association
Japan Racing Association
The Japan Racing Association is a public company established to operate Chūō Keiba and to manage racecourses, betting facilities, and horse-training facilities....
.
Assessment, Honors and Awards
Opera House was named European Champion Older Horse at the 1993 Cartier Racing Awards.In the International Classification for 1993, Opera House was rated the best older horse in Europe with a figure of 129, one pound below the three-year-old champion Zafonic
Zafonic
Zafonic was a European Thoroughbred racehorse bred in Kentucky. He was the 1992 European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and won the following year's 2,000 Guineas.-Background:...
.
Stud career
Opera House retired to the Shizunai Stallion StationShizunai Stallion Station
Shizunai Stallion Station is a Japanese Thoroughbred horse farm was opened in 1963 and is located on the island of Hokkaidō. Operated by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association , it is located in Shizunai whose sister city is Lexington, Kentucky...
in Japan.
His progeny include the World's leading money earner T M Opera O
T M Opera O
T M Opera O was a Japanese thoroughbred racehorse, sired by Opera House, a son of Sadler's Wells, out of Once Wed, a daughter of Blushing Groom. T.M. Opera O was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2004.T.M. Opera O was the world's all-time leading money-earner...
(Japan Cup
Japan Cup
The is the most prestigious horse race run in Japan. It is contested at the end of November at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo at a distance of 2400 meters over the grass. With a purse of ¥476 million , the Japan Cup is one of the richest races in the world.The Japan Cup is an invitational event...
, Arima Kinen
Arima Kinen
The Arima Kinen is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan open to Thoroughbreds which are three-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,500 metres at Nakayama Racecourse, and it takes place annually in late December...
, Tenno Sho
Tenno Sho
The Tennō Shō is a horse race held twice a year in Japan, once in the spring and once in the autumn. "Tenno" means "Emperor of Japan". The races are both International Grade I races. Prior to the 2007 races, both Tenno Sho races were Japanese domestic Grade I races.-Spring:The Spring Tenno Sho...
), and Meisho Samson
Meisho Samson
Meisho Samson is a Japanese racehorse which won the 2006 Tokyo Yūshun and Satsuki Sho....
(Japanese Derby
Tokyo Yushun
The , also called as the is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in late May or early June....
, Tenno Sho
Tenno Sho
The Tennō Shō is a horse race held twice a year in Japan, once in the spring and once in the autumn. "Tenno" means "Emperor of Japan". The races are both International Grade I races. Prior to the 2007 races, both Tenno Sho races were Japanese domestic Grade I races.-Spring:The Spring Tenno Sho...
).