Boldboy (1970 – September 1998) was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He raced for eight seasons in the 1970s and was one of the most popular and successful racehorses of his era. As a two-year-old he showed ability, but his ungovernable temperament led to him being gelded. In the following year he won the Greenham Stakes, Prix de la Porte Maillot, Diadem Stakes and Challenge Stakes. In 1974 he won the Lockinge Stakes and recorded the first of his four wins in the Abernant Stakes. After failing to win in 1975 he returned to form in 1976 to win the Abernant Stakes and the Sanyo Stakes. He reached his peak in 1977, when he repeated his previous wins in the Abernant Stakes, Sanyo Stakes and Challenge Stakes as well as taking the Vernons Sprint Cup. He won a fourth Abernant Stakes in 1978 and was retired in the following year. Apart from his wins he was placed in many important races but, as a gelding, was unable to compete in European Group One events under the rules which prevailed at the time.
Trainer Dick Hern said: Boldboy was "a wonderfully versatile horse, top class over six furlongs and a mile, a very good doer, and one of the soundest who ever came my way. I never remember his being lame in all the time I had him"
Boldboy was retired from racing in 1979. Lady Beaverbrook ensured that the horse had a happy and comfortable retirement, "both in her lifetime and in the terms of her will".[16] He lived at the Warren Stud at Newmarket, where his stall, specially designed by his owner, was adorned with the record of the races he won. Boldboy enjoyed excellent health before a sudden deterioration in September 1998 led to his being euthanised at the age of twenty-eight
The Vernons (now somewhat unimaginatively named Haydock Sprint Cup) was still run around a half-bend, from a 6f chute start in those days.
The race only became a Group 1 when Haydock extended the 5f Straight by a furlong to 6f, by crossing a narrow lane (Sandy Lane) that ran across the top end of the course.
Incidentally - The Haydock ark - Sand Lane Stakes - is named after that Lane (maybe in some sort of a recognition) - and Not named after JP McManus's/Magnier Caribbean exclusive Beach Resort/hotel complex --------------
The old 6f chute can still be seen on google Earth - between the tress, off the bend, running down to Beech Pond - on here ...
The Vernons (now somewhat unimaginatively named Haydock Sprint Cup) was still run around a half-bend, from a 6f chute start in those days.The race only became a Group 1 when Haydock extended the 5f Straight by a furlong to 6f, by crossing a narrow l