Prix de l'Opera winner Villa Marina sold to continue her career in the US

Last month's Prix de l'Opera heroine Villa Marina, a never-dangerous seventh in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita on Saturday, will remain in the US to continue her racing career there.

The three-year-old daughter of Le Havre has been bought by Jon Clay's Alpha Delta Stables and will join the stables of leading trainer Chad Brown.

Carlos Laffon-Parias, who trained Villa Marina for previous owner Dario Hinojosa of Darpat France, told Jour de Galop: “She didn't appreciate the ten-furlong course at Santa Anita on Saturday and I think that was the case for many of the Europeans.

“It's a very unusual challenge, where the horses start almost on a turning, but there's no reason why she couldn't adapt to American racing.”

Villa Marina, also successful in the Prix de Psyche and fourth in the Prix Vermeille this season, will be aiming to emulate her dam's prowess on either side of the Atlantic.

She was bred by Darpat France out of the Peintre Celebre mare Briviesca, who won a Toulouse Listed contest for Laffon-Parias before joining Bill Mott, for whom she won the Listed Dowager Stakes at Keeneland and twice finished second in Grade 3 company.

Sire Le Havre has also had his talents showcased in the US, with Suedois claiming the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile there, and daughter Rymska winning a clutch of Graded contests.

Covering fee news from...

Coolmore

Darley Europe

Highclere Stud

Lanwades Stud

Whitsbury Manor Stud

Nunnery Stud