And maybe a Star by name and nature as well, the Gordon Richards trained 4Y0 so impressive recording a a tough and determined victory in Saturday's $140,000 Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington.
A horse who just not know how to run a bad race, Bold Star has amassed over $330,000 in stakes as he has raced his way to seven victories from 17 starts... a great advertisement for the Needs Further breed.
Of course best known for the exploits of his Australian Guineas and All-Star Mile winner Mystic Journey, Needs Further is well and truly proving that he is no one-horse stallion... his statistics proving to be most impressive.
Whilst not enjoying the opportunities numbers wise that similarly credentialled mainland stallions are afforded, Needs Further is showing himself to be a consistent upgrader with four of his 48 winners being stakes winners.
Another three are stakes placed... meaning that 14.5% of his winners have earned black type!
And it is likely, with the Encosta de Lago sire line knowing for producing horses who just get better and better with age and maturity, that the best is still to come for Needs Further.
And for Bold Star as well, with the rich Gr.1 Goodwood Handicap in May on the agenda.
Meanwhile connections are happy to bask in the glory of his Kensington Stakes victory which followed on from a gutsy second in the Gr.3 Standish.
A victory that highlighted Bold Star's considerable heart.
"He looked to be in trouble early," Gordon Richards said, admitting that in the initial stages of the race a lack of pace was a worry.
"I was a little concerned, especially as he was facing the breeze in a race not run to suit his usual pattern."
But from the 600m the pace really picked up and it was a matter of the last man standing as Bold Star broke 11 seconds (10.76, 10.45, 10.68) for each of the final three furlongs.
"It was a small field but they really built into it strongly," jockey Dwayne Dunn reported, impressed by Bold Star's toughness and thrilled to win a feature race for fellow South Australians.
"Gordon can always find a horse at good value," he said - "lovely types who can be competitive at a high grade."
Which is definitely Bold Star who was picked up for just $18,000 at the 2017 Tasmanian Magic Millions. Bred by Don Cameron, he is out of the unraced Danewin mare Alzahra Star who produced a striking full brother to her rising star last spring.
Gordon Richards has always been a fan of the Needs Further breed - now all more so, noting that "they punch above their weight."
And he will again be checking them out as they make their way through the 2020 yearling sales with Armidale Stud excited about their nine Needs Further yearlings amongst the 13 due to go through the ring at the Tasmanian Magic Millions on February 24
Included in that group is a half-sister to the Gr.3 galloper Monsieur Gustave, a half-sister to the Gr.1 placed Exclaim'n'exclude, a daughter of the multiple city winner Reconcentrate and a filly out of a half-sister to the Gr.3 mare Miss Steele. Armidale also have a very nice colt heading to the Adelaide Magic Millions in mid-March, a half-brother to the city winning dam of last year's ATC Derby hero Angel Of Truth.
Bold Star is part of a great start to 2020 for Needs Further; eight winners in the first 18 days of the year. On New Year's Day when Bold Star ran his gallant Standish second there were three winners... Iowna, Triple Strip and Furrrenzy.
A double three days later with A Tad More and Appraise and another on January 10, Get The Trip and a second victory in a row for the exciting Deroche who was impressive recording her sixth success from just nine starts.
"Needs Further just keeps doing us proud," Armidale Stud's David Whishaw said. "It has been very exciting tracking the progress of his sons and daughters and we look forward to presenting an outstanding group of his yearlings at the upcoming sales."
For further information on Needs Further contact David Whishaw on 0407 868 269 or Robyn Whishaw on 0419 100 634.
