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Virginia-bred Bon Nouvel was three-time Steeplechase Champion of the Year in the U.S., in 1964, '65 and '68. His veteran jockey, Paddy Smithwick, who also rode the champion Neji, said, "...Neji is the best jumper I ever rode, but Bon Nouvel made me feel like an astronaut." Bon Nouvel ran for five years; in 1964 he won the Broad Hollow Steeplechase and then the American Grand National by 20 lengths; in 1965 he won three of his seven races, including the Temple Gwathmey by 30 lengths under the heaviest weight of 170 pounds, and setting a course record in that race. Plagued by injuries for two years, he made a comeback in 1968, and was sent to France to run that spring, then returned to the U.S. to win the Broad Hollow steeplechase, the Brook steeplechase, and three other races, placing second five times, and winning the Champion title for the third time. He was by a long-running good handicapper, Duc de Fer, who won 23 of his 77 starts in his five years of racing. His damsire, imported Happy Argo, was by Argosy, sire of 1950 Irish Grand National winner Dominick's Bar. |
