Bel Bolide

Bel Bolide was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. He campaigned in Europe for three years, winning the Gimcrack Stakes in 1980. He had his greatest success when he returned to the United States, winning the Del Mar Handicap, Tanforan Handicap, Carleton F. Burke Handicap and American Handicap.

Bel Bolide
SireBold Bidder
GrandsireBold Ruler
DamLady Graustark
DamsireGraustark
SexStallion
Foaled5 February 1978[1]
CountryUnited States
ColourChestnut
BreederGeorge A. Bolas
OwnerKhalid Abdullah
Deburgh & Golden Eagle Farm
TrainerJeremy Tree
John Gosden
Record28:9-6-3
Major wins
Gimcrack Stakes (1980)
Del Mar Handicap (1983)
Tanforan Handicap (1983)
Carleton F. Burke Handicap (1983)
American Handicap (1984)
Awards
Timeform rating: 119 (1980), 121 (1980), 122 (1981)

Background

Bel Bolide was a chestnut horse with a white blaze and four white stockings bred in Kentucky by George A. Bolas. He was sired by Bold Bidder, who won 13 races and also sired the Kentucky Derby winners Spectacular Bid and Cannonade. As a yearling he was offered for sale and bought for $310,000 by representatives of the Saudi Prince Khalid Abdullah. The colt was sent to Britain to be trained by Jeremy Tree at Beckhampton in Wiltshire.

Racing career

European career

Bel Bolide raced in Britain as a two-year-old in 1980, winning three of his six races including the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes. He also finished second in the Middle Park Stakes and the Richmond Stakes and third in the Coventry Stakes.[2] Bel Bolide failed to win in five races in 1981, but finished third to To-Agori-Mou in both the 2000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes.[3] After failing to win in four races in 1982 he was sent to race in the United States.[4]

American career

During his racing career in North America, Bel Bolide was trained by John Gosden. In 1983 he won five of his seven races including the Del Mar Handicap, Tanforan Handicap and Carleton F. Burke Handicap. In the following year he ran six times and won the American Handicap.[5]

Pedigree
Pedigree of Bel Bolide (USA), chestnut stallion, 1978[1]
Sire
Bold Bidder (USA)
1962		 Bold Ruler (USA)
1954		 Nasrullah Nearco
Mumtaz Begum
Miss Disco Discovery
Outdone
High Bid (USA)
1956		 To Market Market Wise
Pretty Does
Stepping Stone Princequillo
Step Across
Dam
Lady Graustark (USA)
1969		 Graustark (USA)
1963		 Ribot Tenerani
Romanella
Flower Bowl Alibhai
Flower Bed
Inyala (USA)
1963		 My Babu Djebel
Perfume
Roman Ronda The Rhymer
Roman Matron (Family 20)

References
  1. "Bel Bolide pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
  2. Timeform staff (1981). Racehorses of 1980. Timeform. ISBN 0-900599-31-6.
  3. Timeform staff (1982). Racehorses of 1981. Timeform. ISBN 0-900599-33-2.
  4. Timeform staff (1983). Racehorses of 1982. Timeform. ISBN 0-900599-35-9.
  5. "Bel Bolide Statistics". Equibase. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
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