09/11/2026
BOLD RULER (1954–1971)🐎
A son of Nasrullah out of the Discovery mare Miss Disco, Bold Ruler was bred and raced by Gladys Mills Phipps' Wheatley Stable, foaled at Claiborne Farm, trained by "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons, and regularly ridden by Eddie Arcaro.
He won his first five starts in 1956, closing his juvenile season 7-1-0 from 10 starts ($139,050) — hailed as heir to stablemate Nashua, both sons of Nasrullah.
At 3, Bold Ruler set a track record in the Flamingo Stakes, then swept the Wood Memorial, Preakness Stakes, Jerome, Vosburgh, Queens County, and Trenton Handicaps. His finest effort came in the Trenton, where he beat future Hall of Famers Gallant Man and Round Table. Season record: 11-2-2 from 16 starts, $415,160.
At 4 in 1958, he won the Suburban and Monmouth Handicaps under 134 lbs, plus the Stymie, Carter, and Toboggan. An ankle injury carrying 136 lbs in the Brooklyn Handicap ended his career: 23-4-2 from 33 starts, $764,204 in earnings.
At stud, Bold Ruler sired 82 stakes winners, including Triple Crown winner Secretariat and Hall of Fame filly Gamely, plus Bold Bidder, Lamb Chop, Bold Lad, Successor, and Wajima. He was grandsire of Ruffian, Bold Forbes, Foolish Pleasure, and Spectacular Bid, and great-grandsire of Seattle Slew. Leading North American sire multiple times through the 1960s, he died at Claiborne in 1971, age 17.
Hall of Fame 1973 | Horse of the Year 1957 | Champion 3YO Male 1957 | Champion Sprinter 1958🐎
