As a three-year-old in 1996 she won a Listed race on her debut and then finished third in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains before winning the Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Golden Opinion was a chestnut filly with white socks on her front feet bred in Kentucky by her owner, Sheikh Mohammed's Darley Stud.
[5] On 4 June, the filly started 3/5 favourite for the Group Three Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly Racecourse and won by three quarters of a length from Bubbling Danseuse.
[6] Seventeen days after her win at Chantilly, Golden Opinion was sent to England to contest the 140th renewal of the Coronation Stakes over one mile at Royal Ascot.
She was made the 7/2 favourite in a twelve-runners field which included Tessla (Fillies' Mile), Aldbourne (third in the 1000 Guineas) and Comic Talent, the winner of her last five races.
After a late summer break, Golden Opinion returned in the Group Three Prix du Rond-Point over 1600 metres at Longchamp on 8 October.