After a long and illustrious career at stud, Maine Chance Farms flagbearer and reigning SA Champion Sire Silvano has been retired.
In a statement Andreas Jacobs and Tim Bootsma said that while Silvano’s absence on the breeding scene will be sorely felt, they were extremely grateful for the tremendous success he has had at stud. At the same time they that they were relieved that he will still be around, living at Maine Chance in well-deserved retirement.
Monty Roberts and Silvano (photo: Jeremy Nelson)
They also thanked all the Silvano shareholders, as well breeders in general, for the support lent to Silvano throughout his career.
Only last Sunday evening at the virtual Equus Awards Silvano claimed his fifth South African General Sires title.
At the end of the 2019-2020 South African racing season Silvano stood clear on the sires list with his runners having earned R12 968 988 (restricted stakes excluded) in prize money.
The former Arlington Million has headed the local general sires list for the past four years in a row, with Silvano having also been Champion Sire in South Africa back in 2012-2013.
A son of Lomitas, Silvano enjoyed a superb last season, even by his high standards, with his 12 black type winners picking up 18 stakes races during 2019-2020. He also enjoyed success in Hong Kong in 2020, with his son Chefano, who raced as Vacquero in South Africa, landing the Gr3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup.
Silvano (Lomitas – Spirit Of Eagles)
Silvano, whose current tally of stakes winners stands at 97, was the only stallion in South Africa responsible for more than 10 black type winners.
His notable performers in 2019-2020 included:
-Gr3 Gold Bowl victor Imperial Ruby
SA Horse Of The Year & Triple Tiara star Summer Pudding
-Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Kilindini
-Gr1 World Sports Betting Premier’s Champions Challenge/Gr1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner Hawwaam
-Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes winner Silvano’s Pride
-Gr3 City Of Cape Town Politician Stakes winner Silver Host
-Gr3 Cape Classic victor Silver Operator
-unbeaten Gr1 Triple Tiara/Woolavington 2000 winner Summer Pudding
- -Gr1 Gauteng Chris Gerber Summer Cup winner Zillzaal
Silvano is also making his mark as a sire of sires, with his Gr1 Daily News 2000/Gr1 Jebel Hatta winning son Vercingetorix the Leading Second Season Sire in South Africa for 2019-2020.
The champion’s dominance was extended to the sales ring – with Silvano responsible for the top four lots sold at last month’s National Yearling Sale, with his top lot, a full brother to champion Hawwaam, making R7 million.
