By Tom Frary
With the prospect of the initial progeny of Cracksman (GB) encountering middle-distances and testing ground in their second seasons, the signs were strong that the Dalham Hall resident would come to the fore and Thursday's early Spring meeting at Saint-Cloud proved early confirmation as the newcomer Silver Crack (Fr) stormed to TDN Rising Star status. Anchored behind the early leaders by Cristian Demuro, the well-supported 9-10 favourite for the 10-furlong Prix Suave Dancer for 3-year-old colts and geldings moved to the front well in hand with 300 metres remaining before beginning his victory lap. Clear when eased late, the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Grand Prix de Paris entry who races for Claudio and Edoardo Marzocco and Free Man Racing hit the line with seven lengths to spare over Juddmonte's Broadfield (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}), who was in turn a neck ahead of Barbate (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
Bruno Barbereau, racing manager for Claudio Marzocco, was not surprised by this eye-catching debut. “This is a horse that Jean-Claude liked very much last year and he was working with his best two-year-olds in the summer,” he explained. “He was supposed to have his first start at Deauville in the Prix de Crèvecoeur [eventually won by Rouget's leading Classic hope Rajapour], but he was lame a few days before with a minor problem and he couldn't make it to the races at two. Hopefully he will make up for lost time this year.”
Bought for €120,000 at the Arqana Deauville October Yearling Sale, the winner is out of the Car Colston Hall Stud-bred Silver Bark (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}) who is a full-sister to the GI American Oaks Invitational and GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup-winning luminary Ticker Tape (GB). Responsible for the listed-placed Toofi (Fr) (Henrythenavigator) and Silver Meadow (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), she is also the second dam of the Listed Burradon S. runner-up Legion Of Honour (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) who went on to race in Hong Kong as Fly On Earth.
The second dam Argent Du Bois (Silver Hawk) also produced the high-class G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest-winning sprinter Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), while Ticker Tape's daughter Royal Decree (Street Cry {Ire}) was in turn responsible for the G2 Vintage S.-winning sire War Decree (War Front) and the GII Sands Point S. scorer Skims (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Another stakes performer out of Argent Du Bois was Sant Elena (GB) (Efisio {GB}), who is the dam of the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. winner Reckless Abandon (GB) (Exchange Rate), the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac winner Erasmo (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and the group-placed Best Approach (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). Another descendant of Argent Du Bois is the G3 Sweet Solera S. scorer West End Girl (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), while the family also features the G1 Racing Post Trophy hero Crowded House (GB) (Rainbow Quest) and last year's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains third Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}). Having provided the sire with his first TDN Rising Star, Silver Bark's 2-year-old filly Coeur d'Argent (Fr) is by his studmate Masar (Ire).
3rd-Saint-Cloud, €27,000, Debutantes, 3-23, 3yo, c/g, 10fT, 2:17.34, vs.
SILVER CRACK (FR), c, 3, by Cracksman (GB)
1st Dam: Silver Bark (GB), by Royal Applause (GB)
2nd Dam: Argent Du Bois, by Silver Hawk
3rd Dam: Wiener Wald, by Woodman
(€120,000 Ylg '21 ARQOCT). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,500. O-Claudio Marzocco, Edoardo Marzocco & Free Man Racing; B-Team Hogdala AB (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
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