Bella Paola

Bella Paola (foaled 1955) was a French Thoroughbred racehorse who won several major races in France and Britain including the classic 1,000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks in 1958.

Bella Paola was a big, powerful brown filly, standing 16.3 hands high, bred by her owner François Dupré.

Although she was foaled in France her ancestry was predominantly German: she was sired by Ticino, who won the Deutsches Derby and three renewals of the Grosser Preis von Berlin.

Dupré and Mathet were always keen to attack the top prizes in England and Bella Paola won both the 1,000 Guineas and The Oaks.

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.