TDN RISING STARS

April 20, 2007 - NEWBURY, Race , Mdn, GBP £10,000, 10f 6yds, 3.5000, gd/fm

Folk Opera (Ire), f, 3, 2004 by Singspiel (Ire)

1st Dam: Skiphall (GB), by Halling
2nd Dam: Minskip, by The Minstrel
3rd Dam: Fabulous Native, by Le Fabuleux

Owner: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Abbeville & Meadow Court Partners
Trainer: Michael Jarvis

Boasting entries in both British and Irish versions of the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Oaks, Folk Opera justified those lofty aspirations with a performance of promise in this sophomore bow. Third to the smart Tybalt in her only juvenile start at Lingfield Oct. 11, the 27,000gns TATDEC foal and 105,000gns TATOCT yearling was out sharply to stalk the pace in this classy affair. Pushed to the front soon after passing the quarter-mile pole, she benefitted from Philip Robinson's educational ride in the closing stages to account for Brisk Breeze (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) by 1 1/4 lengths at odds of 9-2. "She is well entered up, but has got to step up on what she's done today," commented assistant trainer Roger Varian. "It's up to Michael [Jarvis] and Sheikh Mohammed to decide where to go, but one would think she might take in a trial somewhere." Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, £7,054.