BOLD SILVANO is out of the 2011 Dubai World Cup. The stable’s top horse and early hope for this year’s renewal of the world’s richest race pulled up lame behind after his final hard preparation gallop on Sunday morning.
The four-year-old, who’d won his only start in the UAE in most impressive style this season and was quietly fancied to win the big race this year, is being treated for discomfort and Mike commented: “He should be fine in the course of time and this doesn’t look like a career-threatening injury, but it’s too soon to say really. We’ll be monitoring his recovery.”
This is a tough blow for the yard just days before Bold Silvano’s much anticipated target race and Mike added: “This is part of the game and we have to take it on the chin, but I feel for his owners and for everyone who has worked so hard with him this season.
“He is a young horse still, there will be other big races to win in future, but there is only one Dubai World Cup each year!”
Bold Silvano is unlikely to be back in action with a view to the Hong Kong features in April. “We’ll give him all the time he needs and aim him at a campaign elsewhere, later this year,” said Mike.
Golden Sword and Musir will ensure that the stable maintains a strong hand in the World Cup, both were accepted on Monday to take their place in the 2000m race.
Photo: Bold Silvano (Christophe Soumillon), circling in the training paddpck at Meydan last week. (Andrew Watkins).
3 Comments
very disappointing news 🙁
if ever an SA bred horse a real chance at lifting racing’s biggest prize, it was with Bold Silvano. I hope SA’s champion 3yo’s Irish Flame & Bold SIlvano can scoop a few major International Group 1’s as they are both have serious potential and it will be great stallions at stud, hopefully in SA one day!
Yeah, exceptionally disappointing 🙁
Can only imagine how bummed Mike has to feel…
Really love this horse, he oozes talent, class & ability – with his withdrawal, much of the spark has gone out of my excitement & enthusiasm for this year’s world cup.
Wishing him a speedy recover & the opportunity to show his mettle on the international stage in short order.
I believe Bold Silvano would have made history by being the first ever to win the Durban July and the Dubai World Cup. And moreover, stamps SA authority on racing’s world stage by being the first SA bred to land the coveted trophy. He was certainly the strongest SA charge that would have entered the World Cup with a lively chance. Lizard’s Desire was all heart last year failing by a nose (In my opinion would have been the greatest victory for MDK in Dubai as it would have been 100% SA: MDK – K Shea – L Desire).
I strongly believe though that we’ll see the best of the best of Musir and after the race they will all respect and admire the till now UAE Derby 2010 winner. I have the strong conviction that we had not seen the bottom of this horse yet and that he’ll unleash some powerful strides on Saturday.