Silverwave Breaks Through at Saint-Cloud

A well-beaten third in the Prix d'Ispahan (Fr-I) last time out, Silverwave was much the best July 3 when he sprung a surprise the Prix du Saint-Cloud (Fr-I).

Under a heady ride from Maxime Guyon, Silverwave snatched control in the final furlong and comfortably held back good-closing French group I winner Erupt to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Siljan's Saga was third, just a neck behind Erupt; 13-10 favorite Vazirabad had no rally and finished seventh of 11 runners, beaten by only two lengths, while seeking an eighth successive triumph.

The time for 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles) was 2:29.20 on turf rated good.

In stark contrast to the favorite, Silverwave snapped a seven-race winless stretch dating from April 2015 when he won the Prix La Force (Fr-III). 

His string of defeats included placings that suggested a group I win was within his scope as he was second to Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Fr-I) winner New Bay in the Qatar Prix Niel (Fr-II) at Longchamp and second to Dariyan the 2015 Prix Ganay (Fr-I) in May at Saint-Cloud at Sunday's distance in his start prior to finishing third, 11 3/4 lengths behind winner A Shin Hikari in the Prix d'Ispahan at Chantilly. Sunday's win turned the tables on Erup,t to whom he was fourth in last year's Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-I).

Silverwave was ideally positioned in midfield, but not far off the pacesetters, and moved chase the front-runners from halfway before challenging for the lead inside the final quarter.

"I was a little bit worried about the step up in trip, but he had a dream run through the race and Maxime gave him a great ride," said Pascal Bary, who trains Silverwave for Hspirit. "He has run very well in the Ganay and the d'Ispahan this year and he deserved that."

Four-year-old Silverwave is from the first crop of 2009 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Fr-I) victor Silver Frost (by Verglas) and is his sire's first group I winner. His dam is the unraced River Mist mare Miss Bio, who has produced a three-quarters brother in 2006 Prix Jean Prat (Fr-I) winner Stormy River among four stakes performers.

Silverwave, an unbeaten juvenile, sold at the 2014 Arqana Deauville autumn sale for €420,000 ($526,050) to his previous trainer Alain Couetil, who bought him on behalf of Hspirit after also consigning him as agent.