As the 35th Breeders’ Cup World Championships approached, one of the main storylines involved a European superstar who was planning an overseas jaunt with an elusive goal in her sights.
To truly understand the importance of Bold Ruler, it should be pointed out that he is best known for his accomplishments in the breeding shed rather than the racetrack.
As innocuous as that might seem, it actually speaks volumes because Bold Ruler enjoyed an exceptional career on the racetrack.
He won the 1957 Preakness Stakes. He was a consensus Horse of the Year choice in 1957 as well as the year’s top 3-year-old. In 1958, he was voted champion sprinter. He set or matched four track records.
Allen Paulson, one of the most prominent owners and breeders in Thoroughbred racing history before his death on July 19, 2000 at age 78, embodied the American dream.
Entering the 2015 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, the first ever at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, there were no shortage of compelling storylines, including the first Triple Crown winner since 1978, American Pharoah, attempting to close out his career with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
