Chief Stipe Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 'The people's champ': Tributes flow for superstar racehorse Lonhro www.racenet.com.au Hall Of Fame trainer John Hawkes has paid the ultimate accolade to champion Lonhro by describing him as the "complete thoroughbred". "Lonhro did it on the racetrack and did it at stud,'' Hawkes said. "There are not many horses that can do it on both sides of the fence like he did. "He was a champion racehorse and then a champion at stud. He did it all.'' The Hall Of Fame trainer was moved to pay tribute to Lonhro after learning of the great horse's passing on Friday. Lonhro wins the epic 2004 Australian Cup. Lonhro finishing second in his farewell race at Randwick. Hawkes said Lonhro took on and beat the best of his era including Sunline, Makybe Diva, Grand Armee, Defier, Private Steer and Shogun Lodge. "I define a champion by the quality of horses they beat during their career and Lonhro took on some outstanding horses and beat them all,'' Hawkes said. "In my opinion, his three greatest wins were in the Australian Cup, his second George Ryder Stakes win and the day he ran down Sunline in the Caulfield Stakes. "The Australian Cup was something I will never forget because he struck plenty of trouble in the straight and still got up to win. "The day he won the Ryder, I don't think a horse anywhere in the world could have beaten him. Grand Armee was in great form but Lonhro sprinted straight past him. "Then there was Lonhro's win over Sunline. It was a two-horse race and he had to really dig deep to win. "Lonhro's record speak for itself, he was one of the superstars. I would like to have one like him in the stable now.'' R.I.P Lonhro. 26 wins from 35 starts including this awesome win the 2004 Australian Cup. Will live on for generations ???? pic.twitter.com/MezWK1kbmP — Betfair Australia (@Betfair_Aus) April 19, 2024 Godolphin Australia's Ross Cole confirmed Lonhro's passing on Friday afternoon. "It is with a heavy heart Godolphin Australia announces the passing of former Darley stallion, Lonhro,'' Cole said. "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. We think Lonhro enjoyed reliving that EPIC DUEL with Sunline (watch his ears). ???? Hey @Ascot@BreedersCup@Goodwood_Races@FlemingtonVRC, can you top this?#WHRBestDuels ???? by @DarleyAuspic.twitter.com/JBi3VQLoW5 — World Horse Racing (@WHR) July 21, 2020 "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." Lonhro was a December foal when born at Woodlands in 1998. He was the son of another Hawkes-trained champion, Octagonal. During an outstanding 35-start career, Lonhro won 26 races, 11 at Group 1 level including the Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Stakes (twice), Mackinnon Stakes, Chipping Norton Stakes (twice), George Ryder Stakes (twice), Queen Elizabeth Stakes, CF Orr Stakes and George Main Stakes. Lonhro's Caulfield Guineas win was something else! ???? pic.twitter.com/kz5sC4yKtF — Racing.com (@Racing) April 19, 2024 Darren Beadman gives Lonhro a hug after winning the 2004 Australian Cup. Darren Beadman was Lonhro's regular rider and made mention of the champion's incredible win in the Australian Cup 20 years ago as one of the highlight of the champion's career. "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," Beadman said. "It's a very sad day. It was a shock when Ross (Cole) rang and told me. It brought a tear to my eye. He will be a horse that 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 class with a capital C.'' Lonhro beats Sunline in the Caulfield Stakes. Lonhro was voted Australian Horse of the Year in 2003-04 then at stud became Champion Sire in 2010-11. He was the first horse since the legendary Vain in 1984 to win both titles. At stud, Lonhro has sired 86 stakes winners of 168 stakes races including 12 individual Group 1 winners, including champion Pierro, Denman, Exosphere, Impending, Kementari, Beaded and Lindermann. Sad day for Australian racing with the death of one of the greats, Lonhro. This was his 26th career win in the '04 George Ryder ❤️ Story ????https://t.co/dIzfrpEaW1 ????️: @SkyRacingAUpic.twitter.com/VFHeVyyGCW — Punters+ (@Punters) April 19, 2024 Lonhro's best son, Pierro, was a five-time Group 1 winner and made a clean sweep of the 2012 juvenile triple crown comprising the Golden Slipper, ATC Sires Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes. Coolmore Stud's Pierro is continuing the Lonhro legacy at stud and has already sired 34 individual stakeswinners including Pierata, Arcadia Queen, Levendi and Regal Power. Pierro is also the sire of the Winx yearling filly which sold for a world record $10 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sales earlier this month. LONHRO (Octagonal-Shadea) Born: December 10, 1998 Black-brown horse Race Record: 36 starts: 26-3-2 Prizemoney: $5,790,510 Group 1 wins: 11 MAJOR WINS Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Australian Cup, Caulfield Guineas, George Ryder Stakes (twice), Caulfield Stakes (twice). HONOURS Australian Horse of the Year – 2003-04, Australian Champion Sire – 2010-11. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 A super horse. On the track and since. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted April 19 Author Share Posted April 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 Incredible influence on the industry on & off the track, 1 in a million! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 Plus he was such a beautiful horse and an obvious gent. Watching some of those races again makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.