A contemporary of Damascus, Dr. Fager and In Reality, Bold Hour was a major stakes winner at ages 2 through 4 in a very good American crop. A sharp and speedy youngster, he settled well enough by the time he was 4 to stretch his speed successfully over 10 furlongs against the likes of Damascus (albeit with a substantial weight concession). He was rather disappointing as a sire given his pedigree and racing class but sired two important broodmares in 1996 Canadian Broodmare of the Year Amelia Bearhart and All Rainbows, dam of 1988 Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) winner and American champion 3-year-old filly Winning Colors.
Race record
31 starts, 11 wins, 8 seconds, 1 third, US$548,190
1966:
1967:
1968:
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1966, 2 pounds below champion Successor.
Rated at 121 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1967, 15 pounds below champion and Horse of the Year Damascus but eighth overall.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1968, 12 pounds below champion and Horse of the Year Dr. Fager but tied for third overall.
As an individual
Considered an exceptionally handsome and well-conformed specimen of his breed, Bold Hour was correct with a powerful chest and hindquarters and a straight, strong hind leg. Like most of the Nasrullah tribe, he had prominent withers and a sloping croup. He was quite temperamental and excitable as a juvenile but became more professional as he matured and was a game competitor. He was registered as a dark bay or brown.
As a stallion
According to records maintained by The Jockey Club, Bold Hour sired 307 winners (58.2%) and 24 stakes winners (4.6%) from 527 named foals. Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard and Rogers) credits Bold Hour with 26 stakes winners (4.9%).
Notable progeny
Amelia Bearhart (USA), Willow Hour (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Chief Bearhart (CAN), Explosive Red (CAN), That Police (USA)
Connections
Bold Hour was bred by George Widener's Erdenheim Farms and raced in Widener's colors. He was trained by William Mulholland. He stood at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky.
Pedigree notes
Bold Hour is inbred 4x4 to three-time American champion sire Fair Play, also a three-time American champion broodmare sire and a member of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. He is a half brother to Sambur (by Jaipur), second dam of Grade 3 winner Whisper Fleet.
Bold Hour was produced from 1962 Delaware Handicap winner Seven Thirty, whose sire Mr. Music is an unraced full brother to the fine speedster and speed sire Spy Song. Seven Thirty, in turn, is out of the unraced Jamestown mare Time to Dine, a half sister to the excellent racehorse and sire Eight Thirty (by Pilate) and to juvenile stakes winner Anytime (by Reigh Count). Time to Dine is also a half sister to Lets Dine (by Jack High), dam of 1943 American co-champion 2-year-old male Platter (by Pilate).
Time to Dine, in turn, is out of Dinner Time (by High Time), a full sister to stakes winner Aquaplane. Dinner Time was produced from the Man o' War mare Seaplane, whose half sister Annette K. (by Harry of Hereford) is the dam of 1933 Dwyer Stakes winner War Glory (by Man o' War) and the second dam of 1937 American Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year War Admiral.
Last updated: May 29, 2022
Race record
31 starts, 11 wins, 8 seconds, 1 third, US$548,190
1966:
- Won Futurity Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Hopeful Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Saratoga)
- Won Flash Stakes (USA, 5.5FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Garden State Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Garden State)
- 2nd Saratoga Special Stakes (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Tremont Stakes (USA, 5.5FD, Saratoga)
1967:
- Won Saranac Handicap (USA, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Discovery Handicap (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Benjamin Franklin Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Garden State)
- 2nd Bahamas Stakes (USA, 7FD, Hialeah)
1968:
- Won Amory L. Haskell Handicap (USA, 10FD, Monmouth)
- Won Grey Lag Handicap (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Suburban Handicap (USA, 10FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Widener Handicap (USA, 10FD, Hialeah)
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1966, 2 pounds below champion Successor.
Rated at 121 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1967, 15 pounds below champion and Horse of the Year Damascus but eighth overall.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1968, 12 pounds below champion and Horse of the Year Dr. Fager but tied for third overall.
As an individual
Considered an exceptionally handsome and well-conformed specimen of his breed, Bold Hour was correct with a powerful chest and hindquarters and a straight, strong hind leg. Like most of the Nasrullah tribe, he had prominent withers and a sloping croup. He was quite temperamental and excitable as a juvenile but became more professional as he matured and was a game competitor. He was registered as a dark bay or brown.
As a stallion
According to records maintained by The Jockey Club, Bold Hour sired 307 winners (58.2%) and 24 stakes winners (4.6%) from 527 named foals. Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard and Rogers) credits Bold Hour with 26 stakes winners (4.9%).
Notable progeny
Amelia Bearhart (USA), Willow Hour (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Chief Bearhart (CAN), Explosive Red (CAN), That Police (USA)
Connections
Bold Hour was bred by George Widener's Erdenheim Farms and raced in Widener's colors. He was trained by William Mulholland. He stood at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky.
Pedigree notes
Bold Hour is inbred 4x4 to three-time American champion sire Fair Play, also a three-time American champion broodmare sire and a member of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. He is a half brother to Sambur (by Jaipur), second dam of Grade 3 winner Whisper Fleet.
Bold Hour was produced from 1962 Delaware Handicap winner Seven Thirty, whose sire Mr. Music is an unraced full brother to the fine speedster and speed sire Spy Song. Seven Thirty, in turn, is out of the unraced Jamestown mare Time to Dine, a half sister to the excellent racehorse and sire Eight Thirty (by Pilate) and to juvenile stakes winner Anytime (by Reigh Count). Time to Dine is also a half sister to Lets Dine (by Jack High), dam of 1943 American co-champion 2-year-old male Platter (by Pilate).
Time to Dine, in turn, is out of Dinner Time (by High Time), a full sister to stakes winner Aquaplane. Dinner Time was produced from the Man o' War mare Seaplane, whose half sister Annette K. (by Harry of Hereford) is the dam of 1933 Dwyer Stakes winner War Glory (by Man o' War) and the second dam of 1937 American Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year War Admiral.
Last updated: May 29, 2022