Lonhro (1998-2024)

It is with a heavy heart Godolphin Australia announce 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’.