Hong Kong star can trace bloodline to famed thoroughbred of the mid-1950s
Assuming Silent Witness maintains his winning habit in tomorrow's Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize, he will have extended his unbeaten career to 16 wins and thereby equalled the 49-year-old benchmark set by one of the greatest thoroughbreds of all time - the mighty Italian champion Ribot - who just happens to be Silent Witness's great-great-great grandfather.
Ribot, the wonder colt of the early- to mid-1950s, was bred by the famous northern Italian horseman Federico Tesio, who had also bred and owned the celebrated Nearco, unbeaten in 14 starts through 1937-38 and who also makes a distant contribution to the genetic make-up of Hong Kong's superstar.
Ribot was named after the 19th century French painter Theodule-Augustin Ribot. He was an amazing racehorse, whose quality may not have been fully appreciated because 13 of his 16 runs were in his native Italy.
But on the three occasions he ventured overseas to prove himself, his impact was devastating, against the best competition England and greater Europe could provide.
Racing historian Harsh Thakor described Ribot as 'truly a racing machine ... [who] simply set the racing world ablaze as no horse had done in the century before in Europe.' A true Muhammad Ali in the sport of kings. Ribot's phenomenal acceleration combined with his stamina made him an equine superstar.
Ribot's sire, Tenerani, had won the Goodwood Cup and the Italian Derby. His dam Romanella won five of her seven races as a two-year-old. He was trained by Ugo Penco and ridden throughout his career by Enrico Camici.
