Miss Scott shone in the Prix de l'Opéra as fillies and mares took complete ownership of ParisLongchamp
The 3-year-old filly spearheaded a Group 1 double for The Thoroughbred Racing Corporation alongside Green Empress; Amusingly, Miss Yechance, and True Love rounded out the Group 1 events supporting the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Fillies and mares made Sunday at ParisLongchamp entirely their own. Beyond sweeping the events reserved exclusively for their sex, they also captured the other three Group 1 contests supporting the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe(G1), setting up a blockbuster afternoon that pointed several stars toward the Breeders’ Cup. Miss Scott (Night of Thunder) delivered one of the day’s highest notes by capturing the Prix de l’Opéra Longines (G1), capping an unforgettable afternoon for The Thoroughbred Racing Corporation.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the 3-year-old filly responded with ultimate authority over the 2,000-meter course. Under jockey Christophe Soumillon, she scored by 1 1/2 lengths over Precise (Starspangledbanner), while Pink Panthera (Chachnak) completed the trifecta a matching margin back, all in a final time of 2:02.41. The triumph marked her first Group 1 victory and her second consecutive group success following her victory in the Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes (G3).
For Soumillon, the win represented his fifth career victory in the Prix de l'Opéra, expanding his own record following previous triumphs aboard Terre à Terre (Kaldounevees), Mandesha (Desert Style), Dalkala (Giant's Causeway), and Tarnawa (Shamardal).
"We have always held her in very high regard and brought her along progressively. This was her first big test," explained Thady Gosden. The trainer hinted at a potential step up to 2,400 meters next season while leaving an immediate option open: "The only remaining possibility this year would be the Breeders’ Cup. It might be too much too soon; we will see how she recovers and discuss it with her owners."
The victory completed a remarkable Group 1 double for The Thoroughbred Racing Corporation, relaunching in 2022 under the family of the late Prince Ahmed bin Salman. Hours earlier, Green Empress (Saxon Warrior) gave the operation its first top-level triumph since that relaunch by capturing the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) over 1,600 meters.
Also partnered by Soumillon, the race favorite launched a wide stretch run and engaged in a prolonged duel with Data(Lope de Vega), subduing her by a head at the line. Queen of The Day (No Nay Never) finished third, 1 1/4 lengths further back, as the clock stopped in 1:37.02. In just her fourth career start, the Joseph O’Brien trainee improved upon her second-place effort in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) to earn an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).
"She has continued to progress and gives the impression that she could be as good, or better, next year. We view her as a miler who could eventually get 2,000 meters," commented O’Brien. Jane Mangan, racing manager for the stable, confirmed: "The Breeders’ Cup is on the agenda if she comes out of this race well. Joseph was very patient with her through the summer with this kind of campaign in mind."
The highlight among the juveniles belonged to Amusingly (No Nay Never), the sole filly in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (G1). Lying last as the field turned into the straight, she found racing room on the outside under Colin Keane and unleashed a decisive burst of acceleration to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths over Folsom Blues (Blue Point), with Man’s Best Friend (No Nay Never) third, another 1 3/4 lengths behind. The time for the 1,400 meters was 1:19.40.
Bred and owned by Juddmonte, the Francis-Henri Graffard trainee became the first filly to win the race since Happily (Galileo) at Chantilly in 2017. At Longchamp, the last filly to capture the event was Danishkada (Thatch) in 1986.
"Supplementing her was a big responsibility, but taking those risks is part of a trainer's job. I did it on instinct: I was convinced she had the speed for this distance," explained Graffard. Keane added: "She has immense class and speed. This time she was much more relaxed."
Another supplemental entry paid massive dividends when Miss Yechance (Cotai Glory) landed the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (G1). The €25,200 investment was rewarded handsomely when the Al Leith Racing Clubrepresentative, trained by Karl Burke, dug deep on the front end to hold off Shiri (Mehmas) by a neck, with Mission Central (No Nay Never) third by the same margin, covering the 1,000-meter sprint in :55.08.
The victory handed 20-year-old apprentice jockey Jack Nicholls his first Group 1 victory. Grandson of Dandy Nichollsand son of Adrian, he celebrated: "She flew out of the gates and maintained a powerful rhythm right to the wire. It's a dream!" Burke opened up new doors: "The plan was to take her to Dubai, but now we will inevitably discuss the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint."
The curtain came down with True Love, who handed Aidan O’Brien his first group win of the weekend in the Qatar Prix de la Forêt (G1). The daughter of No Nay Never, sent off as favorite under Ryan Moore, struck at the precise moment to prevail by a head over Nighttime (Wootton Bassett), who relegated Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett) to third by the same margin.
Winner of the 1000 Guineas (G1), she found the 1,400-meter trip ideal and punched her ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). "She is an incredible filly. She has been on the go since early in the year and returns at the end of the season to win this race. The 1,400 meters is probably her absolute sweet spot, though she gets a mile on a favorable track," highlighted O’Brien. Keeneland now looms large on her horizon.
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