After retiring from racing Bona Vista became a successful stallion, siring Ascot Gold Cup winner Cyllene.

Through his son Cyllene and grandson Polymelus, Bona Vista's sire line is the most dominant in Thoroughbred racehorses today.

Bona Vista, sometimes spelled Bonavista, was a chestnut colt bred by Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, and foaled in 1889.

[4] Bona Vista made his first race start on 26 May 1891 in the Woodcote Stakes over six furlongs at Epsom Downs.

[6] Bona Vista started his three-year-old campaign in the Biennial Stakes, run over one mile at Newmarket, where he only faced three rivals.

In the early stages Curio led the race from Platoon, the pair being clear of Bona Vista and Tanzmeister.

[7] After this narrow victory Bona Vista started the 2000 Guineas Stakes at the price of 10/1 and faced thirteen opponents.

Shortly after half-way St. Angelo was still leading from Galeopsis, with Bona Vista in third being followed by Sir Hugo, Goldfinch and El Diablo.

Bona Vista took the lead with about one furlong left to run and under jockey W. Robinson he pulled steadily away to win by one and a half lengths from St. Angelo.

By the time the field reached the milepost Thessalian led the race from St. Damien, with Bona Vista near the middle of the pack.

[11] Note: F = Furlongs, L = Lengths Bona Vista initially stood for at Hardwicke Stud in Berkshire for a fee of 25 guineas.

[4] In 1897 he was purchased for 15,000 guineas by Prince Louis Esterhazy to stand at stud in Hungary, where he was champion sire five times.