At Trelawney Stud, we take immense pride not only in the horses we breed, but in the lives they go on to lead after their racing careers. One such horse is Bolton—a 2006 gelding by the legendary Zabeel, out of our own Real Success.
While his time on the racetrack was part of his story, Bolton's real legacy is in the life he's built since. For the past ten years, he's been thriving in a second career as an eventing horse, under the care and ownership of Jan Guilbert, who couldn't speak more highly of him.
"He is the best horse I have ever had," Jan says. She describes Bolton as a bold, intelligent, and endlessly generous partner—always giving his all, whether in competition or simply enjoying the day. Their partnership is a beautiful reflection of what we hope for all our horses: a purposeful, happy life beyond racing.
Brent Taylor remembers Bolton well from his early days at Trelawney. "What I can tell you is he was a great-natured colt when we sold him at the Easter Sale to Bob Ingham and Lloyd Williams. When we sold him in Sydney, he was a medium-sized colt with good length and nice strength. He had very good balance, was a very nice horse to work with, and always keen to please."
It's no surprise, then, that Bolton has gone on to be such a reliable and rewarding hack. His easy temperament and work ethic were clear from the start.
Brent also pointed out a family connection that adds another layer of significance to Bolton's story. "He is actually closely related to Pride of Jenni—who was named Australian Horse of the Year in 2024."
To know that Bolton shares such an elite lineage only adds to the pride we feel in his journey. He may not have chased Group 1 glory himself, but his impact has been profound in other ways.
We're incredibly grateful to Jan for giving Bolton a second career filled with purpose and love—and for taking the time to share his story with us. Horses like him are a reminder of why we do what we do.
