A direct female-line descendant of one of the mares imported by James R. Keene as a mate for his beloved Domino, Bold Irish represented an accumulation of the Keene lines that had found their way into the Whitney and Wheatley Stable breeding programs. Bold Irish showed little interest in living up to this illustrious heritage on the track, winning only a couple of minor races in a career marked by repeated failure to maintain a straight course. She was a much better producer than runner, throwing two stakes winners and breeding on through several of her daughters, including 1975 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Shenanigans.
Race record
20 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, 4 thirds, US$8,375
As an individual
An attractive, short-coupled, well-balanced bay, Bold Irish repeatedly bore out in her races, suggesting a mental or physical issue. Many of her descendants were temperamental.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Bold Irish produced 11 named foals, of which 10 started and eight were winners. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Bold Irish was bred by Arthur B. Hancock, Sr., but raced for Gladys Phipps' Wheatley Stable. She was trained by James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons. In 1958, Mrs. Phipps sold Bold Irish to her son-in-law, Stuart Janney, Jr. Bold Irish disappears from the produce records after being reported barren in 1970 and 1971.
Pedigree notes
Bold Irish, is inbred 4x5 to two-time American Horse of the Year Commando. She is out of 1930 Gazelle Stakes winner Erin, making her a half sister to 1940 Pimlico Futurity winner Bold Irishman (by Fighting Fox's sire Sir Gallahad III), 1942 Interborough Handicap winner Eire (by Hard Tack), and 1935 Fashion Stakes winner Mag Mell (by Pompey; dam of 1944 Demoiselle Stakes winner Drumuir, by Snark). Bold Irish is also a half sister to stakes-placed Bransome (by Royal Minstrel), dam of multiple stakes winner Stronghold, second dam of 1954 American champion 2-year-old filly High Voltage, and third dam of 1966 American champion sprinter Impressive.
A half sister to 1947 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Potheen (by Wildair) and to Weno (by Whisk Broom II), second dam of the top stayer Intent, Erin is out of Rosie O'Grady (by Hamburg), generally considered the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1917. Rosie O'Grady, in turn, is a half sister to Rowes Bud (by Broomstick; dam of 1927 Champagne Stakes winner Oh Say, by Dis Donc, and 1932 Tremont Stakes winner Balios, by Chicle) and is out of Cherokee Rose II (Peter Pan—Royal Rose, by Royal Hampton), a full sister to the fine racer and sire Pennant and a half sister to the classy sprinter Iron Mask (by Disguise).
Books and media
Bold Irish is profiled in Chapter 1 of John Sparkman's Foundation Mares: How Outstanding Female Families Shaped America's Breeding Industry (2008, Thoroughbred Times Books).
Last updated: August 2, 2022
Race record
20 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, 4 thirds, US$8,375
As an individual
An attractive, short-coupled, well-balanced bay, Bold Irish repeatedly bore out in her races, suggesting a mental or physical issue. Many of her descendants were temperamental.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Bold Irish produced 11 named foals, of which 10 started and eight were winners. Her important foals are as follow:
- Blarney Castle (1954, by Nasrullah) failed to win in eight starts. She is the second dam of two stakes winners and is the third dam of two-time French champion Green Forest and French Group 3 winner Green Paradise.
- Longford (1955, by Menow) placed once in three races. She produced only two foals, but one of them was Castle Forbes (by Tulyar), the co-champion American juvenile filly of 1963. Castle Forbes, in turn, produced 1969 Hopeful Stakes winner Irish Castle and 1974 Matron Stakes (USA-G1) winner Alpine Lass, both by Bold Ruler, and is the second dam of 1985 Display Handicap (USA-G3) winner Erin Bright (by Majestic Light).
- The Irishman (1956, by Nasrullah) won the 1959 Sysonby Handicap. He sired four stakes winners from 39 named foals, headed by 1968 Lawrence Realization Stakes winner Funny Fellow and 1969 Carter Handicap winner Promise.
- Leix (1957, by Turn-to) placed in two stakes races. She produced 1966 Astarita Stakes winner Irish County (by Swaps) and minor stakes winners Irish Chief (by Tulyar) and Ruff Mark (by Master Hand). She is also the second dam of four stakes winners including Grade 2 winner Pok Ta Pok and the third dam of Grade 2 winners Penny's Reshoot and Sapphire n' Silk and Grade 3 winners Eagleton, Golden Itiz, and Popol's Gold.
- Knocklofty (1960, by Parnassus; a gelding) won two modest stakes races.
- Shenanigans (1963, by Native Dancer) was the 1975 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. Her daughter Ruffian (by Reviewer) was the American champion 3-year-old filly of 1975 and is widely considered to be the best American race mare of the 20th century. Shenanigans also produced the fine racehorse and sire Icecapade (by Nearctic) and Grade 2 winner Buckfinder (by Buckpasser). In addition, she is the dam of Laughter (by Bold Ruler), dam of five stakes winners including 1988 Wood Memorial Invitational (USA-G1) winner Private Terms and Grade 3 winners Blue Ensign and Light Spirits and second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Coronado's Quest, Grade 2 winner Mesabi Maiden, and Grade 3 winner Warning Glance.
- Castle Hyde (1968, by Tulyar) was unraced. She produced stakes winner Ramhyde (by Rambunctious) and is the third dam of 1992 Preakness Stakes (USA-G1) winner Pine Bluff and 1987 Arkansas Derby (USA-G1) winner Demons Begone.
- Irish Trip (1969, by Globemaster) won one of 18 starts. She produced multiple stakes winner Dungarven (by Triple Bend).
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Bold Irish was bred by Arthur B. Hancock, Sr., but raced for Gladys Phipps' Wheatley Stable. She was trained by James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons. In 1958, Mrs. Phipps sold Bold Irish to her son-in-law, Stuart Janney, Jr. Bold Irish disappears from the produce records after being reported barren in 1970 and 1971.
Pedigree notes
Bold Irish, is inbred 4x5 to two-time American Horse of the Year Commando. She is out of 1930 Gazelle Stakes winner Erin, making her a half sister to 1940 Pimlico Futurity winner Bold Irishman (by Fighting Fox's sire Sir Gallahad III), 1942 Interborough Handicap winner Eire (by Hard Tack), and 1935 Fashion Stakes winner Mag Mell (by Pompey; dam of 1944 Demoiselle Stakes winner Drumuir, by Snark). Bold Irish is also a half sister to stakes-placed Bransome (by Royal Minstrel), dam of multiple stakes winner Stronghold, second dam of 1954 American champion 2-year-old filly High Voltage, and third dam of 1966 American champion sprinter Impressive.
A half sister to 1947 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Potheen (by Wildair) and to Weno (by Whisk Broom II), second dam of the top stayer Intent, Erin is out of Rosie O'Grady (by Hamburg), generally considered the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1917. Rosie O'Grady, in turn, is a half sister to Rowes Bud (by Broomstick; dam of 1927 Champagne Stakes winner Oh Say, by Dis Donc, and 1932 Tremont Stakes winner Balios, by Chicle) and is out of Cherokee Rose II (Peter Pan—Royal Rose, by Royal Hampton), a full sister to the fine racer and sire Pennant and a half sister to the classy sprinter Iron Mask (by Disguise).
Books and media
Bold Irish is profiled in Chapter 1 of John Sparkman's Foundation Mares: How Outstanding Female Families Shaped America's Breeding Industry (2008, Thoroughbred Times Books).
Last updated: August 2, 2022