Profile – Bogart

He arrived at Hambleton Lodge 5 years ago as a powerful looking yearling and now he is back for his sixth season and looking as well as ever. Over the last few years he has given everyone plenty of good memories and really become a yard favourite. Bogart has been to the biggest meetings and delivered some fantastic results, getting the yellow and purple of Angie Bailey into the winners enclosure on numerous occasions. Now, at the age of 7, he bids for another season at the top and despite his age he looks as though he has been rolling back the years at home. Bogart doesn’t owe anyone anything but whilst he continues to enjoy his racing he will surely be competing on the big days, especially York which is like his second home. 

The Start

It cost Steve and Kevin £32,000 to secure the Bahamian Bounty Colt at DBS in 2010 but they both knew it wouldn’t be long before someone would snap him up, and they were right. The moment Peter Tingey and Angie Bailey saw the Chestnut they were having him and Bogart has repaid them ever since. From the moment he arrived, Bogart looked ready to run, with his big, powerful frame he was surely going to be a speedster. 

Good horses quickly show you what they are capable of and despite his build, Bogart was an athlete who moved very well. Kevin knew straight away he had a smart juvenile on his hands as Bogart continued to impress at home, improving with every piece of work he did. 

It wasn’t long before Bogart was making his debut and there was strong confidence behind the Bahamian Bounty colt. People do read into things quite easily in racing, so when Kevin took his juvenile up to Ayr for the same maiden that Amadeus Wolf won, it could have been easy to jump to conclusions. This never even crossed Kevin’s mind and it seemed that it hadn’t with the punters either as Bogart was left alone at 10-1. There was never a doubt during the race as Bogart jumped out, disputed the lead before quickening clear and winning by a decisive 2 3/4 lengths. He proved to everyone he was a horse to keep an eye on and had connections dreaming of bigger things. 

After his debut win, Bogart was set to take on some tough tasks throughout the rest of his 2 year old season. On just his second start he was to take on some of the best juveniles at Glorious Goodwood, in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes. The race went to plan and Bogart towed the field along, travelling very strongly to the 2f marker. He looked the most likely winner, but once he was asked for his effort he hung very badly. Phil Makin was impressed with his performance but immediately pointed to the undulating track, saying that was what beat him. Disappointed but un-fazed, Kevin immediately had a plan up his sleeve, which would start a connection that still runs to today.

There are very few opportunities for 2 year olds to run for the type of prize money that is on offer in the sales races. Having been purchased at DBS, Bogart was set to take on their race at York during the Ebor festival. Although not classed as as a pattern race, it can sometimes be harder to win than a group race but Kevin was confident Bogart could bounce back to winning ways. Bounce back he did as he dominated a very competitive field. After tracking the early pace, Bogart laid down a challenge 2f out. He quickly seized the advantage and quickened clear, never looking like getting caught and running out a ready 1 3/4 length winner. The winner’s cheque totalled £136,867.94 but it was the prestige of having a winner at York that really made it special for Pete and Angie.

The next step was obvious but one that did carry a few question marks. The Hamilton Wetherby’s 2 year old race at Doncaster is another sales race and one that couldn’t be passed up. Bogart was favourite for the event but there was concern regarding the 6 1/2f trip. It was going to really test his stamina and that is what proved to be the issue. Bogart stuck to his usual style of running, jumping well and leading throughout the contest. He travelled extremely well to the 1f pole, looking like the winner. If the race had been 6f then he had it won, but the extra 1/2f really told and Bogart just couldn’t see it out. He ran with great credit to finish sixth, beaten only 2 lengths.

After his win at York and good run at Doncaster, it was always the plan to head for one more big purse. The Redcar 2 year old trophy is a listed event and again it offers over £100,000 to the winner. Bogart lined up as the favourite for the race, with the drop back to a sharp 6f likely to see him back to his best. After 100 yards you could see that Bogart was going to be a big player as he tracked the early pace. He cruised through the race and by 2f he was eye to eye with the leader, travelling strongly on the bridle. Phil Makin barely had to move until the final furlong and when he did ask for an  effort, Bogart quickly put the race to bed. He opened up a 1 3/4 length advantage and won convincingly, taking his second big race of the season. 

Bogart winning the redcar 2year old trophy comfortably

After another big pay day Bogart did take the step up to group company again, travelling to France for the Group 2 Criterium de Maissons-Laffitte. Unfortunately the ground was very heavy, which was a waste of time for Bogart. Despite this unfortunate result nobody could complain  about the season he had. Bogart was purchased for £32,000 and had already won £269,491, not a bad return. 

3 Year Old

There was always a worry with 3 year old sprinters as they was no programme for them and they would have to compete with their elders. This has changed now but Bogart had limited options and was thrown into the deep end from the start of 2011. 

His work at home had been very good and Bogart looked a group horse. With his ability and physique if there was a 3 year old who could mix it with the best sprinters then surely it was him. All this led Kevin to map out a group campaign, starting off locally at York.

The Duke of York always attracts the best sprinters as a starting point for the season ahead. Bogart was a bit of an unknown, a good 2 year old but could he compete with his elder counterparts? Kevin believed he could and nobody could argue through the first half of the race. Bogart travelled supremely well, tanking along under Phil Makin and taking up the running by halfway. He quickened up at the 2f marker and it looked as though he might go on and do it. Unfortunately Bogart began to hang right under pressure but he tuck to his guns and battle to the line. Stable mate Tiddliwinks swept past him to win the race but Bogart ran a blinder to finish 4th, beaten a total of just 3/4 length. It was a run that got everyone excited for what lay ahead. 

Unfortunately the season didn’t pan out as was expected from then on. Bogart filled the same position next time out at Haydock in a listed event against his own age. At the time it was very disappointing but in hindsight it shouldn’t have been as the winner was no other then Slade Power, champion sprinter in 2014. 

Bogart would only run a further three times in the season. There was no placed efforts, but it was easy to see why as he ran in tow Group 1’s and very competitive conditions event. Despite there being a slight air of disappointment, there was also a keen sense of excitement for what he could do with another year on his back.

2013

He was now four years old and looked a stronger and more imposing horse. His work had again been fantastic so Kevin didn’t hesitate in mapping out another Group campaign for Bogart. 

Unfortunately the plan didn’t quite work out and Bogart struggled to make and impact in group company. Finishing last in the Palace House stakes was followed up by a mid-division performance in the Duke of York, a race he had run so well in the previous year. When Kevin took the decision to drop him into handicap company for the first time, nobody saw the poor performance coming and Bogart again finished down the field. 

Following that run it was decided that gelding him might bring about the improvement required as he had gone a little stale in recent efforts. After the small op, Bogart was a leaner horse and looked ready to get back to winning ways. Unfortunately there was a moment of despair before the happiness.

York was the destination chosen for his comeback after a couple of months off and so to was it for Amy (Ryan) who hadn’t ridden in months. Confidence was extremely high going into the race and it was immediately evident why as Bogart jumped to the lead and blitzed through the opening few furlongs. He was travelling with ease up to the 2f marker and had the rest of the field hard at it as he cruised forward. Then, as he looked the most likely winner, a moment of concern as Amy’s saddle slipped. It was an horrendous moment as the young jockey came crashing to the ground with 19 horses following in behind. Fortunately Amy and Bogart came unscathed, with Amy rather more upset about losing a race she felt she destined to win. It was a real moment of concern and one that would cost Amy next time out.

Bogart returned to York during the Ebor meeting for his next outing. Racing is a game of highs and lows, which Bogart was just about to experience after a massive low last time out.  There was a new trip of 5 1/2f to tackle but Kevin, who knows plenty about this distance (3 times a Portland winner), felt this could be his optimum distance. With Amy out injured, Neil Callan took the ride and rolled back the years as the Ryan/Callan partnership came up trumps. Neil did what he does best and made the race look simple, jumping well and going forward to press the early pace. The pair travelled well, showing blistering speed and easily moving up to challenge by the 2f marker. Now it was time to fight and both horse and jockey were up for it. The tough Bogart and tenacious Callan matched each other and drew away from the field. There was a late flourish but Bogart was never going to be denied and ran out a ready 3/4 length winner from future Group 1 winner Goldream. Emotions ran high and although it wasn’t his biggest win it probably meant more than any other. Amy was on hand to lead in the winner as the previous mis-hap was laid to rest.

Back to winning ways at York

After such an impressive and emotional win, Bogart then ran down the field in the Portland, Ayr Gold Cup and Coral Sprint. His season was over and it had certainly been a roller-coaster.

2014/2015

By now Bogart had become a firm favourite in the yard but he was also a horse who could test your patience. He could give you such highs with his blistering speed and top performances but then these would be followed up by some disappointing runs. He has always run in the most competitive sprints and this obviously makes it very difficult to build up a sequence of wins. 

The last two seasons he has mixed it in the best handicaps, being a leading player at all the big meetings. You can never ask more than that from him and he has been unlucky not to grab another big one in recent times. 

2014 started with a stutter really, three runs and three very poor performances, finishing well beaten on each occasion. Two of those runs had been at his beloved York, so when he returned to the Knavesmire at the Ebor meeting there was hope that he may return to form rather than confidence. Neil Callan was back on board as the pair looked to win the 5 1/2f for the second year in a row, with Amy making the difficult decision to partner stable mate Blaine, who is also Bogart’s 1/2 brother. It was a carbon copy of his win the previous year and Bogart bounced right back to form. He showed his usual zest and looked to be enjoying himself again. Unfortunately he couldn’t quite see it out as strongly as the last year as the spoils went to his brother Blaine, but he had shown a return to form which set up a tilt at The Portland. 

The Portland is a specialist race as 5 1/2f can really suit certain horses. Halmahera proved this as he won the race three times in a row for Kevin and Bogart had shown a real affinity for the distance. The race panned out perfectly and Bogart showed the same enthusiasm as he did at York. He led the field down the stands side and travelled with ease through the race. Bogart moved into the lead by the 2f marker and looked likely to give Kevin his fourth win in the race. After kicking clear it seemed as though it was a matter when rather than if he won. He stayed on and was putting daylight to the rest, all bar one. From out of the clouds, Muthmir (future multiple Group 2 winner) came storming through and blew Bogart aside. Bogart crossed the line 2 lengths down but it was one of his best performances. He had beaten all bar the winner and it was obvious that he had bumped into a very good hose who was well treated. 

Chasing home the high class Muthmir in The Portland

It was only a week later that Bogart travelled to Ayr for the Silver Cup and a return to 6f. He narrowly missed out on the Gold Cup, a race that Pete and Angie would dearly love to win. Bogart was back to form and went into the race as favourite due to his class and perfect draw. Everything went well for Bogart, he jumped well and quickly got to the lead, hugging the stands side rail. It was the place to be and Bogart was making the best of his way home. He soon had many of the field hard at it as Amy stretched the field allowing Bogart to quicken and turn the screw. Unfortunately Ayr is a stiff enough track and the 6f there really does take some seeing out. Bogart did everything right and by the 1f marker he looked like the winner. Unfortunately the stamina reserves just started to run out and he was collared within the final half furlong. It was a brave effort and a very good one, with just a lack of stamina costing him the race. 

Another York mis-hap followed when he managed to get his head stuck in the stalls before depositing Amy to the turf on his next start. Fortunately he bounced back on his final start at Doncaster to run a good fourth and complete a good year.

2015 proved to be a lot more frustrating than successful as Bogart never managed to get his head in front despite a few promising runs. He started his season with a very good performance at Beverley, finishing third but showing a real spring in his step. There was also a very close third at York in a valuable handicap where he was the winner everywhere bar the line. These two performances proved that Bogart was still enjoying his racing and still held his quality. Unfortunately there were some disappointing performances too, especially in races like the Portland and York where he had run so well the year previous. 

2016

So it’s another new season and another year older for Bogart so what lies ahead for him. Yes he is 7 years old now but he looks as well as ever at home and still seems to maintain the quality he has had all through his career. Despite being in training for 5 seasons, Bogart has only had 35 runs which is still quite a low number for his age. This has also helped keep him relatively injury free which has allowed him to perform at the high level he has been. Bogart is a pleasure to be around day in, day out and is a real favourite with everyone around the yard. He still has the enthusiasm for the game so connections are looking forward to seeing him out on the track again. 

Last year was the first time that Bogart looked as though he was slowing down ever so slightly. Over the minimum trip he was just starting to struggle to go with the blistering early pace, but by all means this doesn’t mean he is slow. This year he may be aimed more towards the 6f races and 5 1/2f but that does not mean he won’t be seen over the minimum trip.

Bogart has been working well and looks ready to run, so Kevin has given him a very early entry this weekend (2/4/2016) at Doncaster over 6f. There is no doubt that Bogart will be seen at the big meetings, especially York where he has become a regular feature and always attracts the punter’s attention. One thing is for sure, no matter how he performs this year, Bogart owes nothing but it would be great to see the “old boy” back in the winners enclosure. Perhaps at York, he does love it there.