Champion stallion Lonhro has sadly passed away, Godolphin Australia announced the news on Friday afternoon along with a press release that can be read below.
Godolphin Australia’s media release for Lonhro
It is with a heavy heart that Godolphin Australia have announced the passing of former Darley stallion, Lonhro.
“A wonderful contributor to the Australian racing and breeding worlds, and as ‘the people’s champion’ Lonhro will be forever remembered for what he was able to achieve on the racetrack,” said Godolphin Australia’s Corporate Director, Ross Cole.
“Lonhro had a huge and well-earned following, and he earnt the admiration and respect of everyone within our Godolphin teams over his years as a Darley stallion and in his retirement. We were honoured to have him as part of our operation.”
Born at Woodlands on Thursday, 10 December 1998, the striking black colt by Octagonal and the seventh foal of Shadea, was described on his foaling sheet as ‘tiny but perfect’.
A glittering 35-start career, the winner of 11 G1 races, 24 at Group level and 26 overall victories.
Lonhro won the cream of races in Australia: Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Stakes (twice), Mackinnon Stakes, Chipping Norton, George Ryder, Queen Elizabeth, CF Orr, Chipping Norton and George Main Stakes.
Arguably, Lonhro’s most stunning race performance came in the 2004 Australian Cup (2,000m) at Flemington under Champion jockey Darren Beadman.
“People still approach me in 2024 to discuss the Australian Cup, it’s a testament to how he captured so many people’s imagination, which speaks volumes about his career,” said Beadman.
“It’s a very sad day. It was a shock when Ross (Cole) rang and told me. It brought a tear to my eye. It’s a very, very sad day, but we must reflect on what he has achieved.”
“He will be a horse that everyone talks about for generations to come, remembered not just for his victories on the track but also for being the people’s horse.”
“He was very dynamic in his racing career, his acceleration, and the way he won with superiority and toughness. He oozed class. He was the class with a capital C.”
“From his early days as a two-year-old right through the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, he raced every race giving 110 per cent, every time he went around. That’s all you can ask of him.”
“For five or six years, those who got to witness his expertise on the track could then see him excel in the breeding barn, being as consistent and influential as he was. He’s ticked every box; not many horses have that resume.”
“I was there at his 21st. It was a special day and that moment we got to spend together will be something I will always remember.”
In a period of far less prize money, Lonhro amassed a staggering $5,790,510 and was the pin-up horse of Australian racing when he retired to Woodlands Stud in 2004.
with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum securing the bloodstock operations of Ingham Enterprises in May of 2008. Lonhro has remained a Darley stallion since.
A gifted equine athlete, Lonhro exceeded his racetrack exploits while in the breeding barn, none is more qualified to reflect on his breeding career than Darley Australia’s Head of Stallions.
Alastair Pulford, who guided the great sire’s career in the Darley breeding barn.
“They say that a stallion is the soul of a stud. That certainly applies to Lonhro. He was a horse that lifted your heart,” reflected Pulford.
“We took over the management of his career in 2008, when his first crop were just two-year-olds and he became Champion Sire in 2011.
He has been an incredibly important part of this stud, demonstrated by HH Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin’s amazing success with him, campaigning over 51 of his 97 stakes winners.”
“He rewarded so many of the people who supported him. His sons and daughters will ensure his name lives on, and his bloodline will remain sought after for generations.”
Lonhro’s 25-year journey of excellence sees the curtain come down leaving a long legacy in its wake.
Achieving 1,000-plus individual winners (1,040) for 97 Stakes winners of 195 Black-Type races, including 13 elite-level winners:
Lindermann, Impending, Kementari, Pierro, Lyre, Aristia, Beaded, Bounding, Benfica, Denman, Exosphere, Mental and The Conglomerate.
Lonhro was crowned Champion Sire and leading Australian sire of winning three-year-olds in 2010-11, the top Australian sire of two-year-olds in 2011-12 and the leading Australian sire of winners in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
His reputation grew and he shuttled to the United States between 2012 and ‘14.
A sire of sires – Pierro, Impending, Denman, Encryption and Exosphere – Lonhro’s early influence as a broodmare sire is equally as remarkable.
His daughters producing 101 Group-winning horses including the likes of Golden Mile (Astern), Zapateo (Brazen Beau) So Si Bon (So You Think), Osborne Bulls (Street Cry), Barber (Exceed And Excel)
Niedorp (Not A Single Doubt), Trobriand (Kermadec), Serene Majesty (Fastnet Rock) to name but a few.
And as we reflect on Lonhro’s legacy there is no better way to describe his impact on the racing and breeding worlds than: ‘Lonhro, the ultimate thoroughbred’.
23rd March 2023 marked the end of an era for the Australian breeding community with the decision to retire Lonhro from covering duties confirmed by Godolphin Australia for the Darley stallion, very much revered as the people’s horse.
Lonhro rising 25-year-old at the time retired, not far from where he was born and bred at the famous Woodlands Stud, with his day-to-day team and routine to remain.
“Most importantly, Lonhro retired from the Darley roster sound, happy, healthy and remained in residence at Kelvinside.
The stallion team, led by Barley Ward-Thomas and Yev Kovalov, plus Lonhro’s long-time mate Deen Griesheimer and all other handlers who have contributed within the stallion barn.
They have done a wonderful job caring for this Australian icon Lonhro for over a decade, and who will continue to do so,” Cox continued.
“It’s important to us that the horse retires on his terms and to all who have supported Lonhro throughout his career, we thank you enormously.”
LONHRO WHERE IT ALL STARTED
A striking black colt born on Thursday, 10 December 1998; by Octagonal and the seventh foal of Shadea, Lonhro was a phenomenon from day one.
Another author of the Lonhro story is Suzanne Philcox. Well known for naming Godolphin Australia’s horses, it all began for Philcox back in 1987 naming horses for Jack and Bob Ingham’s Woodlands Stud.
“Lonhro’s foaling sheet described him as ‘tiny but perfect’,” Philcox said
“At the time I was reading a magazine called Private Eye which had stories about a businessman called Tiny Rowland and he was described as “tiny but perfect” that was Lonhro.
“I tried to get ‘Tiny’ and ‘Rowland’ for the colt, but they weren’t available so Lonhro it was.
“Tiny Rowland was the CEO of the London Rhodesia Mining Company, so I used his company’s stock exchange code LONRHO and made a deliberate mistake with the spelling.”
LONHRO OFF AND RACING
A glittering 35-start career, the winner of 11 G1 races, 24 at Group level and 26 overall victories, Lonhro won the cream of races in Australia.
The Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Stakes (twice), the Mackinnon Stakes, Chipping Norton, George Ryder, Queen Elizabeth, CF Orr, Chipping Norton and George Main Stakes not bad roll of honour for Lonhro.
But, arguably Lonhro’s most stunning performance came in the 2004 Australian Cup (2,000m) at Flemington where he was pocketed until the final 200m but still managed to get up to beat Delzao and Elvstroem.
In a period of far less prize money, Lonhro amassed a staggering $5,790,510 and was the pin-up horse of Australian racing when he retired to Woodlands Stud in 2004.
With His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum securing the bloodstock operations of Ingham Enterprises in May of 2008. Lonhro remained a Darley stallion since.
A gifted equine athlete, Lonhro exceeded his racetrack exploits while in the breeding barn.
LONHRO LEAVING A LEGACY
“What can you say about him that hasn’t already been said?” Alastair Pulford pondered. “From the time he was born he’s been the ultimate thoroughbred.”
Darley Australia’s Head of Stallions Alastair Pulford has helped plan and steer the great sire’s career in the Darley breeding barn for the past 16 seasons.
“Lonhro went on to be an amazing racehorse, the horse of the year, who then became Champion Sire, leading broodmare sire and now has sons at stud who will carry on his name.
“Lonhro was one of the keys behind the purchase of the Ingham racing operation all those years ago and a lot of the success of that deal relied on him.
“Lonhro certainly got an aura about him, even at his age he’s still so fondly remembered by so many people.”
Lonhro sired his 1,000th individual winner last year – three-year-old Lake Agawam for David Jolly on Saturday, 11 March – and on this date of his progeny earnings are $147,105,222.
He has 95 individual Stakes winners of 191 Black-Type races and has sired a string of elite Stakes winners including
Impending, Kementari, Pierro, Lyre, Aristia, Lindermann, Beaded, Bounding, Benfica, Denman, Exosphere, Mental and The Conglomerate.
Lonhro was crowned Champion Sire and leading Australian sire of winning three-year-olds in 2010-11, the top Australian sire of two-year-olds in 2011-12 and the leading Australian sire of winners in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
Lonhro’s reputation grew and he shuttled to the United States between 2012 and ’14.
Lonhro also became a sire of sires – with Impending, Pierro, Denman, Encryption and Exosphere standing at stud in Australia.
Lonhro’s early influence as a broodmare sire is equally as remarkable with his daughters producing 101 Group-winning horses including.
The likes of So Si Bon (So You Think), Osborne Bulls (Street Cry), Barber (Exceed And Excel), Niedorp (Not A Single Doubt), Golden Mile (Astern), Trobriand (Kermadec), Serene Majesty (Fastnet Rock) to name but a few.
Lonhro’s exploits in the sale ring reflect that of a wonderful racetrack career with his yearlings offered at public auction netting supporters $71,939,788.
Lonhro’s top lot a $1.4 million Inglis Easter yearling and just last year producing a $1.05 million result for a filly out of Cool Passion.
However, the opportunity to race the stock of Lonhro still remains with six yearlings catalogued for the coming Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and two remaining crops to grace the sale rings.
Lonhro’s retirement announcement came at a timely moment having sired G1 Rosehill Guineas winner Lindermann, a three-year-old colt bred and raced by Debbie Kepitis’ Woppitt Bloodstock.
THE ULTIMATE THOROUGHBRED LONHRO
And with the curtain being drawn on his breeding career, Vin Cox reflected further on stories proving that Lonhro truly is the people’s horse.
“A few times a year we have people come up for their anniversaries and want to see Lonhro.
“We’ve even had a couple get engaged in front of Lonhro, people name their kids’ middle names Lonhro.
“Lonhro is a horse who has charisma, and the effect he has had on people has been quite significant.”
Lonhro is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable racehorses and stallions in the history of the Thoroughbred industry. His career on the track was nothing short of legendary, marked by unforgettable battles and extraordinary victories.
From his early days as a precocious youngster to his reign as a dominant force in the racing world, Lonhro’s journey captivated fans around the globe.
Some of his most memorable battles on the track include his epic duels with other top-class competitors. Races like the 2004 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Where he showcased his incredible speed and determination to overcome formidable opponents, stand out as defining moments in his career.
But his impact extends far beyond his racing days. As a stallion, he has continued to shape the industry with his exceptional offspring.
His progeny have inherited his talent, athleticism, and competitive spirit, making their mark on racetracks worldwide.
The legacy he leaves behind is one of excellence, inspiring future generations of racehorses and breeders.
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