Star South African jockey Anthony Delpech has rated G1 Durban July winner Bold Silvano as the best horse he’s every ridden.  

“Bold Silvano is even better than Vengeance of Rain,” Delpech claimed at Greyville last Saturday.  “I won Group 1 races on Vengeance of Rain in Dubai and Hong Kong but this is up there with any of the wins overseas.”

NZ bred Vengeance of Rain (Zabeel) won HK$75.74 million and was retired after being injured in the G3 Centenary Vase at Sha Tin in February 2008.
Bold Silvano (3c Silvano – Bold Saffron by Al Mufti) is prepared by Mike de Kock and the premier trainer also saddled runner-up Irish Flame (Dynasty).

De Kock mentioned his July horses are possible Australian candidates at the upcoming spring carnival.  “Bold Silvano would be suited in the Cox Plate and Irish Flame is more like a Melbourne Cup type of horse,” he said.  “Nothing’s been decided but I can confirm 12 of my horses who competed on July day will be going to Dubai.”

Bold Silvano gave De Kock his third win in the Durban July and became the first horse since Occult to complete the Greyville 1900 – Durban July double since 1986.

Bold Silvano is a magnificent specimen and an awesome mover.  He is owned in partnership by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa and Gill Thompson who sold half a share of the horse to De Kock’s Dubai patron earlier this year.

His sire Silvano was a Group winner in Hong Kong, North America, Singapore and Germany.  He was also fourth home in one of the more memorable W S Cox Plates behind Northerly, Sunline and Viscount.

South African champion Pocket Power looked magnificent on July day.  He broke well from a wide stall but was found wanting on the outer periphery.  His G1 winning younger sister River Jetez was also caught deep and was unable to produce her best from a wide berth.