Silkwood Glistens in Ribblesdale

Lightly raced Silkwood, who had just three lifetime starts to her credit, ran away with the 12 furlong Ribblesdale Stakes (Eng-II) at Royal Ascot on Thursday.

The 3-year-old daughter of Singspiel, sporting the maroon and white silks of Sheikh Mohammed, traveled easily near the rear of the pack as Majounes Song led the field at an easy canter for most of the first 11 furlongs.

Kept in the clear on the outside throughout the race by jockey Philip Robinson, Silkwood shot quickly to the front when asked.  She continued to draw off through the final furlong, eventually winning by five lengths.

Favorite All My Loving, who was coming off a good third place finish in the Vodafone Oaks (Eng-I), stumbled at the start and never really showed her true form.  Mick Kinane kept her under a strong ride, but she was never a match for the winner.

Dalvina got up for third, 1 1/4-lengths further back.  Time for the 12 furlongs was 2:30.23 on the good to firm turf.

Silkwood has made rapid progress this year.  Unraced at two, she started her career at Wolverhampton, breaking her maiden on the all-weather course.  From there, she ran in handicaps at Kempton and Sandown, and now she has captured a group II at the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting.

Trainer Michael Jarvis told the press, “She wasn't really trained last year, so we got her going through the winter and started off at Wolverhampton.  She has always shown immense talent.”

Silkwood is out of the Woodman mare, Wood Vine.  She is a half-sister to group II winner Silent Honor (by Sunday Silence).  Her second dam, Massaraat, is a stakes winning full sister to champion Miesque.