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Bold Forbes by Tammy Siters, courtesy of theturfonline.com 
Bold Forbes was born March 31, 1973, in Lexington, Ky. He was sired by the Bold Ruler
son, Irish Castle, and was a foal from Irish Castle's first crop. His dam was Comely
Nell, bred by Calumet Farm, and a daughter of Commodore M. His second dam is Nellie L,
a daughter of *Blenheim II and Nellie Flag. He was bred by Lee Eaton and Red Bull
Stables.
Bold Forbes was sold as a yearling in 1974 at the July Fasig-tipton sale to Mr. Estaban Tizol for $15,200, and shipped to El Commandante racetrack in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He didn't show much speed or promise as a two-year-old. He didn't work well in the mornings, and when he went to post for the first time, no one in his stable even bet a dime on him. However, what no one knew was that Bo had the heart and competitive fire of a champion. In his first start, he went off at odds of 35-1, and won by 17 lengths. He won his next four starts, 3 allowances, and the Gr. III Classico Dia Los Padres where he set a new track record, going 6 furlongs in 1:10 3/5. His combined total margins of victory in those four races were 51 ½ lengths. Since El Commandante is the only racetrack in Puerto Rico, there were no challengers left. Mr. Tizol decided to ship Bo to the United States and was sent to the New York barn of trainer Laz Barrera. In July 1975, Bold Forbes won the Tremont Stakes by 5 lengths in a time of 1:09 2/5. In August, he started in the Saratoga Special, and again ran his rivals off their feet with his front running style to win by 8 lengths in a time of 1:09 4/5. Shortly thereafter, Bo bucked his shins and was given a few months off. He made his last start of 1975 on December 31 in an allowance race. He tired, finishing third and dropped from the unbeaten ranks. He ended up winning 7 of 8 starts and was weighted at 123 pounds on the Expermental Free Handicap. For awhile in 1976, it appeared that Bold Forbes was just a precocious two-year-old. He finished 2nd in the San Miguel by a nose, then 3rd in the San Vicinte by less than a length. But then he won the San Jacinto at a mile in 1:35 by 3 lengths, then the Bay Shore Stakes at 7 furlongs in 1:20 by 7 3/4 lengths, just 3/5 off the track record. He shipped back east to Belmont racetrack. Laz Barrera knew in order to prove Bold Forbes was Derby material, he needed longer races. He was entered into the 1 1/8 Wood Memorial and responded by winning by 4 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:47 2/5, breaking Bold Ruler's stakes record. The 1 1/4 Derby distance was thought to be too far for Bold Forbes, a "speed horse." Angel Cordero and Laz Barrera worked Bo in long, slow works to build up his stamina and slow him down a little. On the day of the Derby, Bold Forbes went off as the second betting choice, behind two-year-old Champion Honest Pleasure. However, Bo broke off on the lead and no one pressed the fast early pace with him. Honest Pleasure came running at the wire, but Bo held off his late charge to win by a length in 2:01 3/5, tying the seventh fastest Derby to that point. Mr. Tizol did not make the trip to Kentucky -- he was in failing health but did listen to the race against his doctor's orders. There are some amazing things about Bo's Derby. Bold Forbes laid down fast fractions of :22 2/5, :45 4/5, 1:10 2/5, 1:35 3/5, with a final time of 2:01 3/5. Prior to 1976, only four horses ran the ½ mile faster than :46, and none of them placed. At the 3/4 mark, only three horses were faster, and they finished unplaced, a fifth, and a second. His Derby was a true display of speed and courage. Bo headed to the Preakness on May 15, 1976. Determined not to let Bold Forbes get away on an uncontested lead this time, Honest Pleasure went with him out of the gate. They ran fractions of :22 3/5 and the 1/2 in :45, the fastest half-mile ever run in the Preakness. At that point, Bo began to draw clear, running the fastest 3/4 split to that time of 1:09, which was 1 2/5 seconds faster than any previous Preakness and also 1/5 of a second faster than the track record. He hit the mile in 1:35 1/5 -- again faster than any previous running except Cannonero II's, and it was finally taking its toll on Bo. At that point, he was passed by the winner Elocutionist, who went on to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Play the Red just nipped Bo at the wire by a neck for 2nd place, and Honest Pleasure faded to fifth. After the race, it was discovered that Bo had injured his left hind hoof very badly. He had to have 1/4 of his hoof cut away, and the frog fell off in most parts. This probably would have caused most horses to fade badly, but not Bo. Thankfully he healed well enough to make the Belmont Stakes three weeks later. In his typical style, Bo once again took the lead out of the gate and set fractions of :23 4/5, :47, and 1:11 1/5. He completed the mile in 1:36, and the 1 1/4 in 2:01 4/5, only a 1/5 of a second slower than his Derby time. He then started to slow down, but managed to dig deep and hang on to win by a neck in 2:29. Bo then ran in an allowance race, then in the 7-furlong Vosburgh Handicap in October 1976. During the race he severely cut another leg and almost bled to death, but he did finish 3rd. At that point, he was considered to be a valuable stallion prospect, and rather than risk further injury, he was retired.  He was syndicated to stud, headed by Aaron and Marie Jones, for $130,000 a share,
giving him an estimated value of $7,800,000. He stood his entire stud career at
Arthur Hancock's Stone Farm in Paris, Kentucky. He sired Barb's Bold, who sold for a
then-record yearling filly price of 1,450,000. She later in life sold as a broodmare,
in foal to Northern Dancer for 3,650,000. Bo also sired the Champion Tiffany Lass ('83
filly), winner of the Ky Oaks (Gr. I), Fantasy Stakes (Gr. I), and many other stakes.
She was named Champion 3-Year-Old Filly of 1986. Another daughter, Bold Apparel ('80
filly), was Champion 2-Year-Old Filly in Italy. He sired graded stakes winners such
as Danebo, winner of the San Pasquel (Gr. II), San Carlos (Gr. II), etc, Fobby Forbes,
winner of the Garden Stake Stakes, Dane Mysterieuse, winner of the Black Eyed Susan
(Gr. II), and 2nd in the Acorn Stakes (Gr. I), and Sir Pele, winner of the San Luis
Obispo (Gr. II) and Arcadia Handicap (Gr. II).
Perhaps his most famous offspring is the stallion Air Forbes Won. He won the Wood Memorial (Gr. I), and the Gotham (Gr. II), making him a favorite for that year's Derby. Air Forbes Won has gone on to be Bo's best son at stud, siring Mercedes Won and Yanks Music, the 1996 Champion 3-Year-Old Filly. Another prominent son of Bold Forbes was Irish Actor ('86 colt), who won the Young American (Gr. I). Bo also sired Soho Sunday ('86 filly), a multiple graded stakes winner, and St. Forbes ('80 colt), who won the Hawthorne Derby (Gr. III). In all, Bold Forbes sired 430 foals, with 304 winners (86%) and 30 stakes winners, and progeny earnings of over $18,000,000. "Bo" by Cathy Roby He ran for the roses in '76, A Thoroughbred colt bred just for this. First from the gate, a streak of black, As he raced full tilt around the track. His great heart pounded, his ebony body glistened, His nostrils flared red, as he gave it all he had. He was fast, O' so fast, and could never Ever stand to be passed. The turn for home, Honest Pleasure was closing, One last burst of speed, his body was throbbing. Born in the Bluegrass, but as Cordero would say, It was the "Puerto Rican Rolls Royce" all the way. Under the finish line, a length in front, Wire to wire, he had won! O' What glory was his that day, for Bold Forbes had won the Kentucky Derby. A great racehorse, A greater friend, A True Champion, You will always live in our hearts. Written by Cathy Roby, Hall of Champions barn manager and Bold Forbes' best friend and favorite groom. Bold Forbes Born: March 31, 1973 Died: August 9, 2000 Trainer: Laz Barrera Owner: Mr. Estaban Tizol during racing, a syndicate afterwards Jockey: Angel Cordero Jr. Breeder: Lee Eaton and Red Bull Stables Pedigree:
Racing Record:
Career Highlights: at 2: at 3: |