Appleby rules out Daryz clash for Opera Ballo
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sat 16 May 2026
Opera Ballo will head straight to the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot after Charlie Appleby decided against taking on Daryz in France in the Prix Aga Khan IV.
Already a Group One winner in Dubai, the son of Ghaiyyath made it seven wins from nine starts when defeating some of the best around over a mile at Sandown last month, but plans to head to ParisLongchamp on Thursday have since been shelved by the Moulton Paddocks handler.
“We were looking towards the Prix Aga Khan IV (Prix d’Ispahan) but we’re now going to go straight to the Queen Anne,” said Appleby.
“There are a couple of reasons behind it, firstly he’s come out of Sandown so well and dare I say it, he looks quicker. He looks like a miler and without stating the obvious, there’s a good horse (Daryz) to beat in France.
“He’s beaten the best milers in England with a penalty and I just feel that going back up to the nine and a half might not be the right thing to do.
“We’ve just gone and beaten some of the best milers in England and why take him out of that division.”
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