Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Bold Bastille (Brazen Beau) has emerged as one of the star juveniles in Victoria, epitomising the benefits of strategic placement and the lucrative prizemoney offered in Victoria, particularly through the VOBIS scheme.
Trained by Ben, Will, and JD, Bold Bastille boasts an impressive record of four wins from five starts, accumulating over $699,550 in prizemoney along with $42,000 in bonuses. With her sights set on The Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria The Showdown, a $1 million event, there's potential for her earnings to further soar.
Despite accumulating over $500,000 in prizemoney, one might assume that Bold Bastille, a daughter of Darley Victoria’s Brazen Beau, has secured victories in Group 1 races or frequently competed at elite-level events.
Bold Bastille | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
However, this assumption would be incorrect. According to Lindsay Park’s racing manager Dom Rhoden, the initial aspiration for Bold Bastille was to target the G1 Blue Diamond S. However, a minor setback altered the team’s plans.
Rhoden explained, “It was a straightforward decision to enter Bold Bastille in the R. Listed Inglis Banner on Cox Plate Day, given the substantial $502,000 in prizemoney up for grabs. Fortunately, Bold Bastille emerged victorious in that race, and we subsequently aimed for the G1 Blue Diamond in the autumn.
“However, as January progressed, Bold Bastille encountered a minor setback that disrupted our plans. Although not a significant issue, it did result in us missing out on a run in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies). Consequently, we had to proceed to the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) for her first-up run, with only one trial under her belt.”
Dom Rhoden
Rhoden continued, “This setback forced our hand to some extent. She was underdone for her first-up run, and finished midfield in the race. Instead of pushing ahead to the Blue Diamond, we collectively agreed that it was better to give the filly an easier time, regroup, and consider an alternative path.”
Despite the change in plans, Bold Bastille’s recent performance in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush was outstanding and continued a three-race winning streak. The event, previously won by Shesallshenanigans (Toronado {Ire}), who later emerged victorious in The Showdown.
“Bold Bastille’s recent performance in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush was outstanding and continued a three-race winning streak.”
Stamped by Vobis
Bold Bastille, bred by the Pope family, was consigned in Blue Gum Farm’s 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft, where she drew the attention of Lindsay Park Racing and Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA), fetching a price of $270,000.
Arriving at the sale adorned with a Super VOBIS nominated sticker and the VOBIS Sires Progeny bonus, Bold Bastille is a daughter of Brazen Beau, a local stallion at Darley’s Northwood Park in Seymour. She is the fifth foal from the Listed-winning mare Chloe In Paris (Exceed And Excel).
The Victorian Owners and Breeders Incentive Scheme (VOBIS) offers an impressive array of rewards, exceeding $30 million in prizemoney, bonuses, and vouchers, including eligibility for the prestigious $1 million The Showdown, rendering eligible yearlings highly attractive options in sale rings for prospective owners.
Brazen Beau | Standing at Darley
Furthermore, as an Inglis Sale graduate, Bold Bastille was eligible to contest in its lucrative events, such as the R. Listed Inglis Banner at Moonee Valley, boasting a total prize pool of $502,000, with $309,000 awarded to the winner. Bold Bastille emerged victorious by 3l over the future G1 Blue Diamond S. winner, Hayasugi (Royal Meeting {Ire}).
Despite Hayasugi turning the tables when they crossed paths again in February, Bold Bastille first-up was unplaced but only 2.95l away.
No Diamond or Slipper for Bold filly
As Rhoden outlined, the G1 Blue Diamond S. was off the cards for Bold Bastille. Instead, the filly headed to Flemington to contest the Listed Festival S. over 1000 metres, boasting a prize pool of $176,300, with $113,300 awarded to the winner.
Bold Bastille showcased her sustained speed, triumphing over the subsequent G3 Magic Night S. victress Drifting (Zousain). While there was the tempting option to venture to Sydney for the prestigious G1 Golden Slipper, the team elected to pass on the race, ultimately won by Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon).
Instead, Bold Bastille made her way to Caulfield for the $175,750 Listed Redoute’s Choice S. ($112,750 to the winner), where she replicated her success with a 1.75l victory, with Mark Zahra in the saddle.
Despite the allure of Sydney and the $1 million G2 Percy Sykes S. at Randwick against the fillies, Lindsay Park, as Rhoden explained, found plenty of attractive options in Bold Bastille’s own backyard that fit better within The Showdown program. And, of course, without the need to travel a 2-year-old filly to Sydney and back.
“We’ve got her back on track. She’s improved with each run. We knew she would improve from her first-up run, but ultimately, we decided that going into a high-pressure Group 1 over 1200 metres against the colts was probably not in her best interest, being a small filly.
“We played the percentages, waited a week, and went down the straight in the Listed Festival S., where she was ultra-impressive. That race led nicely into the Caulfield race (the Redoute’s Choice). So, those two races made her a stakes winner, which eliminated the real temptation to go to Sydney for last Saturday’s G2 Percy Sykes.
“We played the percentages, waited a week, and went down the straight in the Listed Festival S., where she (Bold Bastille) was ultra-impressive. That race led nicely into the Caulfield race (the Redoute’s Choice).” - Dom Rhoden
“We could stay at home, play in our own backyard, and there was good prizemoney on offer at Bendigo in the VOBIS Gold Rush, in a significantly easier task than the Sydney race. Plus, the element of not having to travel and take on the top fillies. Also, that race leads beautifully into her main target, The Showdown, in a fortnight.”
Finding the less obvious opportunities
Bold Bastille, remarkably, has secured victory in 16 per cent of Victoria’s juvenile stakes races this season, yet she has never triumphed in a race higher than Listed status. Additionally, she has never competed in a Group 1 event, with the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) representing the highest level race she has entered.
Asked about the opportunities available for 2-year-olds in Victoria from a racing manager’s perspective, Rhoden said, “There’s definitely plenty of options in Victoria.
“Plus all the different avenues you can take to avoid taking on the best in races like the Blue Diamond, Golden Slipper, etc.
“You can duck and weave the topliners and still be running for good prizemoney in what may be the B-grade events because they aren’t Group 1s. However, they are still fantastic to win.”
