| Bella Paola | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Ticino |
| Grandsire | Athanasius |
| Dam | Rhea II |
| Damsire | Gundomar |
| Sex | Mare |
| Foaled | 1955 |
| Country | France |
| Colour | Brown |
| Breeder | François Dupré |
| Owner | François Dupré |
| Trainer | François Mathet |
| Major wins | |
| Grand Critérium (1957) Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte (1957) Prix Imprudence (1958) 1,000 Guineas (1958) Epsom Oaks (1958) Prix Vermeille (1958) Champion Stakes (1958) |
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| Horse (Equus ferus caballus) | |
| Last updated on January 1, 2008 | |
Bella Paola (foaled 1955) was a racehorse owned and bred by François Dupré and trained by François Mathet. She was the second best two-year-old in France with three successes including the Grand Critérium – only her stablemate Texana was rated superior to her. Dupré and Mathet were always keen to attack the top prizes in England and Bella Paola won both the 1,000 Guineas and the Epsom Oaks. In the former she was ridden by Serge Boullenger, but because of military service he was not allowed to ride at Epsom and Max Garcia replaced him. Also runner-up in the Prix du Jockey Club, Bella Paola ran disappointingly in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but ended her career with victory in the Champion Stakes.
At stud her best foal was Pola Bella, who won the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and was second in the Prix de Diane before breeding several winners, including Val Divine.