Bold Forbes (USA)
March 31, 1973 – August 9, 2000
Irish Castle (USA) x Comely Nell (USA), by Commodore M. (USA)
Family 9-f
March 31, 1973 – August 9, 2000
Irish Castle (USA) x Comely Nell (USA), by Commodore M. (USA)
Family 9-f
Bold Forbes came onto the American Triple Crown trail of 1976 as a champion juvenile, but since his championship was earned in Puerto Rico, he was not taken very seriously at first even though he had also been a graded stakes winner at the 1975 Saratoga meeting. After he won the San Jacinto Stakes (USA-G2), he was still widely dismissed as “just a speed horse,” but his win in the Wood Memorial Stakes (USA-G1) made it plain that he was a legitimate Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) contender. He went on to win both the Derby and the Belmont Stakes (USA-G1), though he owed the latter as much to a cagey ride by Angel Cordero as to his own talent. At stud, he was useful but not particularly memorable.
Race record
18 starts, 13 wins, 1 second, 4 thirds, US$546,536
1975:
1976:
Honors
Assessments
Weighted at 123 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1975, 3 pounds below champion Honest Pleasure but tied for third overall.
Co-highweighted at 126 pounds with Honest Pleasure on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1976, 1 pound above Elocutionist and Majestic Light.
As an individual
A lightly-made dark bay or brown horse standing 15.3 hands, Bold Forbes was somewhat upright in front with cannons longer than the ideal and rather sickle-hocked behind. He was a free-running horse whose greatest weapon was his intense natural speed, but he was thoroughly game and genuine when challenged. In retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park, he enjoyed the human attention he received.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Bold Forbes sired 312 winners (65.8%) and 30 stakes winners (6.3%) from 474 foals.
Notable progeny
Air Forbes Won (USA), Bold Apparel (FR), Irish Actor (USA), Tiffany Lass (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Bold Forbes was bred by Eaton Farms, Inc., and Red Bull Stable. He was owned by Estéban Rodríguez Tizol, who purchased the colt for US$15,200 from the 1974 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling sale. Bold Forbes was trained by Laz Barrera. Following the conclusion of his racing career, he stood at Stone Farm near Paris, Kentucky. Pensioned in April 1991, he was transferred to the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions, where he lived the remainder of his life. Bold Forbes was humanely destroyed due to renal failure and gastroenteritis on August 9, 2000.
Pedigree notes
Bold Forbes is inbred 5x3 to 1930 Derby Stakes winner and 1941 American champion sire Blenheim II. He is a full brother to Priceless Fame, dam of 1982 William Hill Futurity (ENG-G1) winner Dunbeath (by Grey Dawn II) and 1984 Del Mar Futurity (USA-G1) winner Saratoga Six (by Alydar) and second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Lakeway, 2002 Coaching Club American Oaks (USA-G1) winner Jilbab, and 2004 Premio Vittorio di Capua (ITY-G1) winner Ancient World. Bold Forbes is also a half brother to See You At the Top (by Riva Ridge), dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Life At the Top (by Seattle Slew), who in turn is the dam of French Group 3 winner Elizabeth Bay (by Mr. Prospector; dam of Grade 3 winner Bayeux, by Red Ransom). In addition, Bold Forbes is a half brother to Nellie Forbes (by Secretariat), dam of Group 2-placed Irish stakes winner Ancient Times (by Nijinsky II); second dam of English Group 3 winner Midnight Air; and third dam of 2001 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (FR-G1) Imperial Beauty, 2009 Criterium International (FR-G1) winner Jan Vermeer, 2011 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (USA-G1) winner Together, and Grade 2 winner Midnight Line. Nellie Forbes is also the third dam of Grand Perfect, the champion imported 3-year-old filly of 2012 in the Dominican Republic. Another half sister to Bold Forbes, Tache (by Ambiorix), is the dam of stakes winner High Ascent (by Irish Castle).
Bold Forbes' dam Comely Nell never raced but is a half sister to 1950 Narragansett Special winner De Luxe (by Commodore M.'s sire Bull Lea) and to Sweet Nell (by Bull Lea), dam of multiple stakes winner Procula (by Intent). Comely Nell is also a half sister to Hot Patootie (by Citation), third dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Super Fast.
Comely Nell and her siblings were produced from 1943 Kentucky Oaks winner Nellie L. (by Blenheim II), a full sister to Mar-Kell, the American champion handicap female of 1943. Mar-Kell is the dam of the good stakes winners Mark-Ye-Well and Amoret, both by Bull Lea, and is the second dam of 1971 Florida Derby winner Eastern Fleet. Nellie L. is also a half sister to 1954 Top Flight Handicap winner Sunshine Nell (by Sun Again), dam of 1970 Brooklyn Handicap winner and useful sire Dewan (by Bold Ruler) and of multiple stakes winner Sunny (by Princequillo). In addition, Nellie L. is a half sister to stakes producers Ore-the-Lea (by Bull Lea), Peppy Nell (by Sir Gallahad III), and Last Wave (by Bull Lea). Nellie L. and her siblings, in turn, are out of 1934 American champion 2-year-old filly Nellie Flag (by American Flag).
Fun facts
Last updated: July 10, 2024
Race record
18 starts, 13 wins, 1 second, 4 thirds, US$546,536
1975:
- Won Saratoga Special (USA-G2, 6FD, Saratoga)
- Won Tremont Stakes (USA, 6FD, Belmont)
- Won Clasico Dia de los Padres (PR, 6FD, El Comandante)
1976:
- Won Wood Memorial Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Kentucky Derby (USA-G1, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Belmont Stakes (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- Won San Jacinto Stakes (USA-G2, 8FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Bay Shore Stakes (USA-G3, 7FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd San Miguel Stakes (USA, 6FD, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Preakness Stakes (USA-G1, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
- 3rd Vosburgh Handcap (USA-G2, 7FD, Aqueduct; disqualified from second)
- 3rd San Vicente Stakes (USA-G2, 7FD, Santa Anita)
Honors
- Puerto Rican champion 2-year-old male (1975)
- Eclipse Award, American champion 3-year-old male (1976)
Assessments
Weighted at 123 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1975, 3 pounds below champion Honest Pleasure but tied for third overall.
Co-highweighted at 126 pounds with Honest Pleasure on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1976, 1 pound above Elocutionist and Majestic Light.
As an individual
A lightly-made dark bay or brown horse standing 15.3 hands, Bold Forbes was somewhat upright in front with cannons longer than the ideal and rather sickle-hocked behind. He was a free-running horse whose greatest weapon was his intense natural speed, but he was thoroughly game and genuine when challenged. In retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park, he enjoyed the human attention he received.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Bold Forbes sired 312 winners (65.8%) and 30 stakes winners (6.3%) from 474 foals.
Notable progeny
Air Forbes Won (USA), Bold Apparel (FR), Irish Actor (USA), Tiffany Lass (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Bold Forbes was bred by Eaton Farms, Inc., and Red Bull Stable. He was owned by Estéban Rodríguez Tizol, who purchased the colt for US$15,200 from the 1974 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling sale. Bold Forbes was trained by Laz Barrera. Following the conclusion of his racing career, he stood at Stone Farm near Paris, Kentucky. Pensioned in April 1991, he was transferred to the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions, where he lived the remainder of his life. Bold Forbes was humanely destroyed due to renal failure and gastroenteritis on August 9, 2000.
Pedigree notes
Bold Forbes is inbred 5x3 to 1930 Derby Stakes winner and 1941 American champion sire Blenheim II. He is a full brother to Priceless Fame, dam of 1982 William Hill Futurity (ENG-G1) winner Dunbeath (by Grey Dawn II) and 1984 Del Mar Futurity (USA-G1) winner Saratoga Six (by Alydar) and second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Lakeway, 2002 Coaching Club American Oaks (USA-G1) winner Jilbab, and 2004 Premio Vittorio di Capua (ITY-G1) winner Ancient World. Bold Forbes is also a half brother to See You At the Top (by Riva Ridge), dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Life At the Top (by Seattle Slew), who in turn is the dam of French Group 3 winner Elizabeth Bay (by Mr. Prospector; dam of Grade 3 winner Bayeux, by Red Ransom). In addition, Bold Forbes is a half brother to Nellie Forbes (by Secretariat), dam of Group 2-placed Irish stakes winner Ancient Times (by Nijinsky II); second dam of English Group 3 winner Midnight Air; and third dam of 2001 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (FR-G1) Imperial Beauty, 2009 Criterium International (FR-G1) winner Jan Vermeer, 2011 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (USA-G1) winner Together, and Grade 2 winner Midnight Line. Nellie Forbes is also the third dam of Grand Perfect, the champion imported 3-year-old filly of 2012 in the Dominican Republic. Another half sister to Bold Forbes, Tache (by Ambiorix), is the dam of stakes winner High Ascent (by Irish Castle).
Bold Forbes' dam Comely Nell never raced but is a half sister to 1950 Narragansett Special winner De Luxe (by Commodore M.'s sire Bull Lea) and to Sweet Nell (by Bull Lea), dam of multiple stakes winner Procula (by Intent). Comely Nell is also a half sister to Hot Patootie (by Citation), third dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Super Fast.
Comely Nell and her siblings were produced from 1943 Kentucky Oaks winner Nellie L. (by Blenheim II), a full sister to Mar-Kell, the American champion handicap female of 1943. Mar-Kell is the dam of the good stakes winners Mark-Ye-Well and Amoret, both by Bull Lea, and is the second dam of 1971 Florida Derby winner Eastern Fleet. Nellie L. is also a half sister to 1954 Top Flight Handicap winner Sunshine Nell (by Sun Again), dam of 1970 Brooklyn Handicap winner and useful sire Dewan (by Bold Ruler) and of multiple stakes winner Sunny (by Princequillo). In addition, Nellie L. is a half sister to stakes producers Ore-the-Lea (by Bull Lea), Peppy Nell (by Sir Gallahad III), and Last Wave (by Bull Lea). Nellie L. and her siblings, in turn, are out of 1934 American champion 2-year-old filly Nellie Flag (by American Flag).
Fun facts
- Bold Forbes was known as “Bo” to the staff at the Kentucky Horse Park. To jockey Angel Cordero, he was “The Puerto Rican Rolls-Royce.”
- In his Belmont Stakes victory, Bold Forbes overcame not only his own distance limitations but injury: he had grabbed a quarter coming out of the starting gate, shearing off part of a front heel.
- From 1995 until his death in 2000, Bold Forbes was the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner.
- Bold Forbes was the first Kentucky Derby winner to take up residence in the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park. He was later followed by Alysheba (2008-2009), Funny Cide (2008-2023) and Go for Gin (2011-2022).
Last updated: July 10, 2024