A nose for victory: Silawi (IRE) digs deep for thrilling Grade 1 Canadian International win

TORONTO, October 4, 2025 – Silawi (IRE), sent off at 10-1, took the lead early and then held on bravely to take Saturday’s 85th running of the $750,000 Canadian International (G1T) at Woodbine. ​

Silawi (IRE), under Faleh Bughenaim, broke alertly from post seven and floated to the front to seize early control of the 1 ½-mile event for 3-year-olds and up. Nations Pride (IRE), who won the most recent running of the race in 2023, emerged in second spot after leaving a step slowly, followed by My Boy Prince and Haunted Dream (IRE), stablemate of Silawi (IRE). ​

Reaching the opening panel in :23.69 over a firm inner turf, Silawi (IRE) was two lengths clear of multiple Group/Grade 1 winner Nations Pride (IRE) and then pushed that advantage to 2 ½ lengths through a half in :47.30.

Silawi (IRE), who came into the International off a three-quarter length score in the Winter Hill Stakes (G3T) at Windsor in August – his first group success – continued to canter along on the front end as Nations Pride (IRE) looked to dial up the pressure into the turn for home.

Mid-way down the lane, Silawi (IRE) appeared to have victory well within his grasp, but Tawny Port, sitting sixth after a mile and a quarter, was full of run and loomed a major threat with less than 100 yards to the finish line.

At the wire, Silawi (IRE) hung on to post a nose win. Tawny Port finished 1 ¾ lengths ahead of Nations Pride (IRE). Dancin in Da’nile was fourth.

The final time was 2:27.52.

“It is a lucky day for me,” said Bughenaim, who picked up the mount when Daniel Tudhope was unable to ride. “Daniel told me he cannot get the flight and Hamad (trainer, Al-Jehani), gave me a chance to ride. He’s one of the best horses we have in our yard in Newmarket, and Hamad and his assistant believe Silawi (IRE) can do great races. He gave me a nice Group 1 [win] in Canada, and I was happy it worked out.”

As was Al-Jehani, who sent out Haunted Dream (IRE) to victory in the Singspiel Stakes (G3T) at Woodbine on September 6.

“Silawi (IRE) is a frontrunner, and with this racecourse, I think with a tighter track, I think you got a huge advantage if you are in front, and we know that the Godolphin horse (Nations Pride (IRE)), he’s a nice horse, and if we decide to make a different plan, it will be hard to beat him. So, we take that advantage to go forward, and we make the pace from the beginning and follow the plan very well, and I think he deserves to be here in the winning enclosure today.

“It’s not a surprise because I feel from the beginning when we start to do the entry,” continued Al-Jehani. “I believed if Silawi (IRE) came to Woodbine racecourse, he can show greater performance. So, the trainer is not always right, but today I’m right, so it’s a great result for the team. That result, it’s not coming from Hamad Al-Jehani alone – it’s coming from all the team.”

A 5-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE), who has competed in France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and England, Silawi (IRE) was making his first start in North America for owner Wathan Racing. ​

Bred by Wertheimer et Frere, he is out of Silasol (IRE), a dual Group 1 winner over 1600m at two and 2000m at three. He is a half-brother to Fasol (GB), two-time runner-up at Group 3 level over 3000m and 3100m at 3 and 4, and a full brother to Silius (IRE), Listed winner over 1500m at 3 and three-time Group 3-placed over 1400m and 1600m. He is also a half-brother to Silastar (GB), a four-time winner between 1600m and 2400m.

With the victory, Silawi (IRE), who broke his maiden at Saint Cloud, in his fifth start, on April 26, 2023, is 4-4-4 from 26 starts.

He paid $22.90 for the win.

Chris Lomon, Woodbine