The Good News Opera House Story This Weekend at Caulfield

Craig Tompson - Thursday October 11
In a week where the Opera House has been the centre of much hysteria and controversy, the timing couldn't be better for a good opera house story – one about The Opera House, the horse, and her white foals.

The Opera House is one of the very rare white horses, as opposed to grey, and was sold as a yearling amidst much interest at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2008 from the Amarina Farm draft, being bought by Kris Lees for $270,000 and the filly subsequently raced in the colours of John Singleton's Strawberry Hills Stud.

By Zabeel out of a half-sister to champion Might And Power, she was only moderate on the track though, being placed five times before breaking through for a maiden win at her ninth start which saw the curtain brought down on her career.

Since going to stud she has produced six foals, the last four in a row as white as herself and one of them, Utzon, named for the Opera House's architect, is making his debut at Caulfield on Saturday in the Debutante Stakes.


Utzon as a foal with The Opera House.

By Charm Spirit, Utzon was offered by Windsor Park Stud at this year's NZB Karaka Book 1, selling to Yulong Investments for $120,000.

Trained by Ciaron Maher and to be ridden by James McDonald, the filly is a $6 second favourite off the back of an impressive barrier trial win at Cranbourne on Monday and would appear a sound chance to bring some welcome black type to his dam's record who has proven quite the investment for her owners in recent years.

Since being purchased by Michael Wallace Bloodstock at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in 2013 for $30,000 and shipped to NZ, those four white foals she has produced since have returned over $1.1 million in the sale ring!

Below are the white foals of The Opera House.


Utzon again, resting up!


Utzon as a yearling - sold for $120,000.


2014 filly by High Chaparral x The Opera House. Sold for $450,000. A winner in Japan.


2015 colt by Shamexpress, sold for $510,000.


2017 filly by Mongolian Khan, sadly since died.

The Opera House was served by Windsor Park Stud's Rageese last season.
Advertisment
More Reading...
New G3 Winner for Charm Spirit
Matamata visitor Lilikoi showed she was on track for further age-group riches this summer with a comprehensive victory in Saturday’s Group III Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni bringing a pedigree update for her Karaka bound half-brother by Vadamos.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Charm Spirit Shows His Class
Impressive young sire Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit) confirmed his class among an outstanding group of emerging stallion talent, when striking his second Group winning blow from his first southern hemisphere 3YO crop at the weekend.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Charm Spirit Heads Exciting Windsor Park Roster
With Charm Spirit in stellar form and a new wave of stallions approaching their yearling debuts, the festive period has some extra shine this year for the team at Windsor Park Stud.
Charm Spirit 3YO on Trial for Derby
Exciting three-year-old Scorpz will be tested over 2000m for the first time at Ellerslie on Sunday in preparation for the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) in February.