Southern California sprinter Bolden, a dual-surface winner who exhibited sub-1:08 speed during his undefeated racing career, will initiate stallion duties at Rancho San Miguel in 2024.
The 5-year-old son of Santa Anita Park track record-holder and leading California sire Square Eddie will stand for an introductory fee of $3,500, live foal guarantee.
Bred in California by Reddam Racing, Bolden sold for $100,000 to owner Gary Hartunian's Rockingham Ranch as one of the top-priced colts at the Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale in 2019, with trainer Peter Miller serving as agent.
Under Miller's conditioning, the precocious chestnut made an auspicious career debut in June of his 2-year-old season, defeating rival state-breds with a dominating, 5 1/2-length winning margin in a five-furlong maiden special weight race on dirt at Santa Anita.
Bolden's next three starts were made in rich allowance optional claiming company for trainer Phil D'Amato, beginning with a facile, six-length win on Santa Anita dirt at six furlongs. He was then switched to turf, and achieved the same successful results: a 7 3/4-length romp in a smashing final time of 1:07.50 for six furlongs on the grass at Santa Anita, followed by a 1 3/4-length grass victory at Del Mar in a brisk :55.81 for five furlongs in September 2023.
Overall, Bolden won all four of his races by a combined 21 lengths, and earned $177,540. He was installed as the wagering favorite by handicappers for each of his races, and lauded by his trainer with the ultimate praise for his natural abilities upon his retirement.
“Bolden is the most talented horse I have ever trained,” D'Amato said. “He was equally good on either surface.”
The strapping stallion prospect is by Grade 1 winner Square Eddie, a son of Smart Strike who holds Santa Anita's track record of 1:13.11 for 6 1/2 furlongs. He is one of three winning starters out of Bas, a multiple winner by Flower Alley. Among the notable members of his family is Bold Decision, a graded stakes performer and 5 1/2-furlong track record-setter at Aqueduct.
Bolden is available for immediate inspection at Rancho San Miguel. He also will be part of the stallion roster featured during the farm's open house and stallion show on Jan. 20, 2024.
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