Silver Knott third in G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

Silver Knott rounded off his US campaign with another G1 placing as he finished third behind Far Bridge for a second consecutive time in the Joe Hirsh Turf Classic at Aqueduct on Saturday, 28 September. 

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old was reopposing War Bridge having finished a little over four lengths behind the same horse in last month’s G1 Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga, a race in which Measured Time filled the runner-up spot. 

Silver Knott broke well and soon settled in second one off the rail, a length and a half behind Get Smokin, with Emmanuel also handily placed on the inside of the Godolphin runner. 

The five-strong field bunched heading down the back for the second time before Dylan Davis sent Silver Knott on into a clear lead three furlongs out. 

Having opened up a three-length advantage turning in, Silver Knott was unable to repel Far Bridge and War Like Goddess, who challenged on both sides approaching the final furlong. 

The front two soon went on, with Far Bridge gamely denying War Like Goddess by half a length. Silver Knott kept on at the same pace, coming home a further four and a quarter lengths adrift. 

Charlie Appleby said: “Silver Knott has run a solid race again. That will probably be it for the season in North America and we will regroup over the winter. He has put up solid performances throughout the campaign and deserves a bit of a break now.”