€500,000 Opéra Longines (Gr1): Friendly Soul Holds Off Running Lion

ParisLongchamp, France – October 6, 2024 – The 2024 edition of the €500,000 Prix de l’Opéra Longines (Gr1), the championship race for fillies and mares over 1m2f, provided a thrilling finish. One of the pacesetters, Friendly Soul (Kingman), repelled all challengers with great courage.

The representative of George Strawbridge, who also bred her, and winner this summer of the Sumbe Prix Alec Head – Prix de la Nonette (Gr2) at Deauville, initially raced alongside Almara (Almanzor), who had forced the pace to take the lead and the rail early on from her outside post position. She had travelled in front of Friendly Soul, on her outside, ahead of Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot) and Running Lion (Roaring Lion).

Almara faded quickly in the final straight, unlike Friendly Soul and Running Lion, both trained by John and Thady Gosden, who battled it out all the way down the long stretch to take the first two places, less than a length apart, in front of Sparkling Plenty (Kingman), who ran remarkably considering she was held far back, and Fallen Angel, who failed to accelerate after a favourable trip on a track softened by rain.

Friendly Soul is out of the prolific In Clover (Inchinor), a winner of the Prix de Flore (Gr3), as well as the Prix de Lieurey (L) and the Prix de Liancourt, like the dam of the winner of the “Morny” Whistlejacket, trained by Freddy Head. She then enjoyed extraordinary success at stud. She has produced three Group 1 winners, namely We Are (Dansili), Call the Wind (Frankel), and With You (Dansili), winners respectively of the Prix de l’Opéra (Gr1), the Prix du Cadran (Gr1), and the Prix Rothschild (Gr1). Seven stakes winners to date!

Comments from connections

John Gosden, co-trainer of Friendly Soul (1st) with his son, Thady – England

« Mr George Strawbridge, her owner breeder, came over especially from America to see her run at Deauville, a place he loves very much.  We were there with Freddy Head when his father, Alec Head, had the honour of winning the Prix de la Nonette (Groupe 2). And after his victory , Freddy suggested the Prix de l'Opéra Longines to us. It was his idea ! Two questions arose : was she good enough ? How would she take the soft ground? The Breeders' Cup is now a possibility. And Monsieur Strawbridge lives in America. But the 2 200 metre distance is at the limit of her possibilities. »

David Redvers, racing manager at David Philip Howden’s stables, owner of Running Lion (2nd)

« It was a wonderful performance from Running Lion, the best of her career. We are all happy. She made a great effort and fought right to the end. Her jockey rode her magnificently and well done to her trainer for this dual. Since her first races , she has always been a strong representative for her sire, Roaring Lion. Over the coming weeks and once we have seen her recovery, we will discuss the possibility of her running in the Breeders' Cup. »

Rupert Pritchard-Gordon – racing manager to Al Shaqab Racing, co-owner to Sparkling Plenty (3^rd)

« Sparkling Plenty ran very very well.  She possesses a great speed that will serve her well. We must giver a little credit. Once everyone had found their place, it wasn’t fast and the ground was very soft.  That started and Cristian [Demuro, her jockey] tried to anticipate it. That allowed the filly to press on towards the others. It is not easy to come from the back of the group. We will see with the team about the next race , in particular with the Sheikh. It is possible that she will go to the Breeders’ Cup. She could find a race that suits her there, with a terrain that is convenient to her and the pace too. However, it is a race for 3 year olds. She has run a lot and it will also be for her trainer to judge because it is he who knows her the best. »