Bold Ruler Worldclass Thoroughbred

Bold Ruler

Hero of the 1957 Preakness, BOLD RULER was named Horse of the Year for that year after posting 11 victories from 16 starts. This brilliant speedster later developed into a top sire with Secretariat among his many notable offspring. Bold Ruler was named Champion 3-Year-Old, Champion Sprinter, and Horse of the Year for 1957.

Bold Ruler was inducted in the Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1973.

Bold Ruler with owner, Mrs. Henry Carnegie Phipps and Eddie Arcaro, painting by Robert Oli

At stud, Bold Ruler was even more impressive, siring such champions as Speedwell, Queen Empress, Successor, Bold Hour, Bold Lad, Bold Bidder, Boldnesian, Vitriolic, Wajima, What a Pleasure, and most importantly the 1973 Triple Crown winner and two time Horse of the Year, Secretariat. He led the American Sire's List eight times, and seven of the ten Kentucky Derby winners of the 1970's traced directly to Bold Ruler in their male lines.

Secretariat Life Size Bronze Statue

July 17, 2004

Kentucky Horse Park

Secretariat

by Bold Ruler

1973 Triple Crown Winner

Listen to the 1973 Kentucky Derby

Bull Hancock found Bold Ruler's offspring to share a unique trait:

"You can pick the Bold Rulers out on their conformation. I see the same musculature as Nasrullah. They all had an extra layer of muscle beside their tail running down to their hocks. It is a good sign when you see it in a Bold Ruler. It means strength and speed."

Bold Ruler died on June 12, 1971 and was buried near Nasrullah and Miss Disco in the Claiborne Farm cemetery.

Bold Ruler's obituary began "The King is dead..."