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The Big Story26 September 2025
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'I'm not going to hide the fact we're excited by him' - Opera Ballo the star turn as Charlie Appleby bids to continue Rowley Mile love affair

The Rowley Mile provided the high point of Charlie Appleby's year with that sensational Classic double in May. Now we're back there, things are picking up for Godolphin's principal trainer again – and they promise to get even better on Friday.

Appleby has had a typically strong season, albeit perhaps without quite building on the Guineas victories of Ruling Court and Desert Flower as much as expected. But, returning to the Rowley Mile, he unleashed a Dewhurst prospect in Distant Storm on Thursday and now he cannot hide his excitement about a horse who could well prove to be a big flagbearer over the final weeks of the campaign.

Opera Ballo has won four of his five races, the last two in such impressive fashion that he is likely to be sent off at odds-on to land a first Group victory in Friday's BoyleSports Daily Racing Rewards Joel Stakes. Could this be the launchpad to Group 1 races for Godolphin's latest potential superstar?

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