THE prestigious Durban July was won by Port Elizabeth-born-and-bred horse Bold Silvano.
The three-year-old was bred at Ashley and Rose Parker’s Ascot Stud in Port Elizabeth before being sold to East London- based Gill Thompson when he was 18 months old in 2008.
“The horse was born on the farm. My mother and I had him until we sold him for R300000 in April 2008,” said Ashley Parker.
On Saturday the colt was ridden by jockey Anthony Delpech and trained by Port Elizabeth- based Mike de Kock. This year’s win was a third Durban July victory for De Kock and Delpech.
Veterinarian Parker said he was extremely excited and proud of Bold Silvano, the first horse bred by Ascot Stud to win the July.
He witnessed the great victory at Greyville, Durban, on Saturday and returned to Port Elizabeth yesterday.
Co-owner Thompson was unavailable for comment yesterday, but she said earlier she was excited about Bold Silvano’s participation in the race.
At the time, she said she was confident in the colt’s abilities, but would not bet on him because she believed putting money on her own horses would bring her “bad luck”.
Thompson earlier this year sold a half-share in the colt to Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifah al-Maktoum of Dubai .
Thompson received the winner’s sash from President Jacob Zuma in the sheikh’s absence.
The East London woman owns 18 other horses including eight racers, and bought Bold Silvano as a foal at the National Yearling Sales in Germiston.
Gavin Smith said he was Silvano’s first trainer.
“I started training him when he was a year old. He was always a horse that got better and better every day.
Smith said he had wanted to buy Silvano at the yearling sale in 2008, but Thompson had bid more for the horse.
He said Saturday’s race could be the last for Silvano in South Africa because of the share sold to Al-Maktoum.
“I believe this horse will go as far as the Dubai Cup. He will shine on the Dubai racetrack because he is fast and he likes to sprint.” Additional reporting by Daily Dispatch