by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Bold Eagle, driven by Franck Nivard, was a very impressive winner of the Criterium des 3 Ans at Vincennes on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 7).

The Criterium des 3 Ans is the first classic race during the Winter meeting and is raced over the 1-11/16th mile distance with a purse of 240,000 Euros or $300,000.

Bold Eagle went into the race undefeated in 2014 from eight races and he was the heavy favorite at 1-2 in the betting.

Though Bold Eagle had to race without cover and was parked outside the leader until the last quarter, he was a very impressive winner in 1:58.2 (mile rate) followed by Brillantissime, driven by Jos Verbeeck. That made it a one-two for Ready Cash, who is the sire of both.

Bold Eagle is bred by Jean Etienne Dubois, who trained and raced him until September, when Bold Eagle was transferred to the stables of Sebastian Guarato.

This was the second year in a row that Guarato trained the winner of the Criterium des 3 Ans. Last year he sent the chestnut colt Aladin d’Ejaceul out to win.

As mentioned, Bold Eagle is sired by Ready Cash and out of a mare by Love You, so he represents the most modern bloodlines in France at present. Love You is the overall leading champion sire, while Ready Cash is leading with his two first crops, the 3- and 4-year-olds.

Bold Eagle will probably do some stud duties next year, as 20 shares have been offered for sale at a price of 50,000 Euros or $62,000 each.