User:Dark horse racing/sandbox4

The Little O! At 3 years, he looked a  carbon copy (perhaps a bit smaller, given he was a December foal, the last foal born on the famous Woodlands Stud that year) of his famous sire Octagonal, Lonhro provided the dad he looks so much like with his first Group 1 winner when he overpowered a fantastic field to win the Caulfield Guineas. I thought he was the best middle distance 3 year old of the season, although some thought he shared this honour with his stablemate Viscount (unplaced favourite in the Guineas). He won something like 8 races in a row, including the Warwick Stakes, but missed the Cox Plate when sent for a spell. In the autumn he won his first few starts, but then went amiss with a virus, which was a tragedy, as he would have made Sunline's life interesting in the Doncaster Handicap, for which he'd been equal favourite.

Lonhro had a wonderful 4 year old season. The slight disappointments were his failure in the 2002 Cox Plate, where he finished a distant 6th to Northerly, after being long time favourite for the race, and perhaps his 4th to Grand Armee in the 2003 Doncaster Handicap, although perhaps he suffered from the track bias that day. Lonhro commenced his 4yo season with a scintillating win in the Missile Stakes at Rosehill, but was then somewhat controversially beaten by Defier, who has proved to be a much under-rated horse, in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes, when Lonhro was second up. Lonhro then bounced back with a lovely win in the Chelmsford Stakes, but was again beaten (or Darren Beadman outfoxed by Chris Munce) by Defier when an unlucky 4th in the Group 1 George Main Stakes, when he did not ever receive clear running space in the straight. Lonhro came to Melbourne, and 12 months to the day after his first Group 1 win in the Caulfield Guineas, he pulled off a remarkable victory in the Caulfield Stakes. In her second last ever start, the mighty Kiwi mare Sunline, 3rd to Defier in the George Main, was set alight a long way from home by Childs in what had become their trademark. The champion mare turned for home some fours lengths ahead of Lonhro, who threw everything at Sunline, finally pegging her back in a thrilling duel, to win by about a neck. Perhaps this triumph took more out of Lonhro than we all thought because while Sunline weakened for 4th in the Cox Plate at her final start, Lonhro was never in the hunt, and finished 6th. Lonhro however won the Group 1 MacKinnon Stakes a week later, by a narrow margin, in a determined effort, although the field was not top class WFA.

After a spell, Lonhro returned in the autumn of 2003 an absolutely magnificent horse. He now resembled not only his famous sire, but another even more famous black horse, the mighty champion Kingston Town. A striking black (he's officially classified as brown though) stallion, Lonhro won 3 Group 1 races that autumn. He commences his campaign in the Expressway Stakes, and bullocked his way to victory. He then annihilated the field in the Apollo Stakes, run at Randwick, before winning the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes at his home track Warwick Farm. On that remarkable day, his sire Octagonal, sired 3 winners, including the full brothers Lonhro and Niello. Lonhro then met his nemesis Defier in the Group 1 George Ryder Darley Stakes at Rosehill, and despite having never finished in front of Defier, made a mockery of the match race, and ran away with victory by 3 lengths. Defeat followed in the Doncaster Handicap, on a wet track with 57.5kg, which was a great disappointment. He came back a fortnight later to win the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m on the final day of the AJC Autumn Carnival.

Lonhro returned victorious in the spring of 2003, although his success was tinged with sadness following the death of his very popular, and very passionate owner, Jack Ingham. Lonhro resumed with convincing wins in the Warwick and Chelmsford Stakes, and then trounced a good quality field in the Group 1 George Main Stakes, running an incredible last 600m, and dropping Grand Armee (since a narrow second to Clangalang in the Epsom Handicap) with consummate ease. He then became the first horse since Kingston Town to win back to back Caulfield Yalumba Stakes, but alas and woe, again met defeat in the Cox Plate. It began pouring about an hour before the race, and the rain kept up during the race itself, but it looks apparent that Lonhro just cannot handle the tricky Moonee Valley circuit, which was my biggest disappointment of the spring.

Lonhro commenced what will be his final preparation in the autumn of 2004, before he is retired to his birthplace, Woodlands Stud, to stand alongside his sire, the mighty Octagonal, for a record fee of $66,000. Lonhro was sent to Melbourne, where he won the CF Orr Stakes (G1), St George Stakes (G2), then scored a remarkable victory in the Australian Cup (G1), after being severly inconvenienced at about the 200m mark. His victory saw him emulate Octagonal, who also won the race in a close and dramatic finish, in 1997. Lonhro returned to Sydney, where he again captured the hearts of racegoers with a brilliant display of speed in the George Ryder Stakes. In a wonderful piece of theatre, Octagonal returned to the place of so many of his triumphs, on Slipper day, and led the Ryder field out. Bob Ingham led his horse around at my request, and Darren Gauci rode him. It was just a special moment, and Octagonal, bless him, was SO well behaved! Lonhro is due to have his final race in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and I'm just desperately hoping that the rain won't mean that he doesn't start. I am still searching for that 'perfect' shot, it's a particular image I'm after, and I need one more crack at him!

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2yo
Lonhro had his first start in November 2000 in a restricted 2yo race at Rosehill where he finished second. A short spell followed and Lonhro resumed in January 2003 over 1100m at Rosehill, starting favourite for the first time and winning in good fashion by 2.5 lengths. Two weeks later Lonhro was in Melbourne at Caulfield for the Blue Diamond Prelude. In the straight Lonhro impressed the Melbourne crowd by striding well clear to win by two lengths from fast finishing Neiwand with Tosamba third. It was then to the Blue Diamond Stakes where Lonhro started the $3.50 favourite. Settling near the rear of the field Lonhro came wide inthe straight making ground on the leaders but unable to catch the eventual winner True Jewels, finishing 1.5L fourth. Instead of pressing on to the Sydney carnival Lonhro was spelled as another near black Woodlands colt called Viscount won the AJC Sires Produce and Champagne Stakes.

Lonhro returned for the Spring in the WFA Missile Stakes, being run in July he was still officially a 2yo. Settling last of nine runners on a heavy track, Lonhro stormed home to finished third to Sportsbrat, this was to be the first and last time that Lonhro would be defeated in consecutive races.

3yo
A rematch with Sportsbrat in the WFA Warwick Stakes followed two weeks later. This time Lonhro settled closer to the lead and was able register his first win as a three year old. For his next start Lonhro went back to his own age group in the Ming Dynasty Quality and held on to win by a head after being sent out a very short priced favourite. An easy win in the Heritage Stakes followed before he took out the Stan Fox Stakes against a small but quality field. Lonhro then headed to Melbourne for the Caulfield Guineas but despite his his four consecutive wins he was not the Hawkes stable favoured runner. That honour went to the multiple Group 1 winner Viscount who had started his spring campaign in Sydney and had recorded victory in the George Main Stakes where he, like Lonhro, had defeated Shogun Lodge. The boom colts Ustinov and Viking Ruler also lined up along with New Zealander Pure Theatre, Dash for Cash and Magic Albert. Lonhro settled last before pulling out wide to the centre of the track to start his run on the home turn. Inside the final 50m Lonhro swept to the front from Pure Theatre and Ustinov as Viking Ruler ran on near the rails but it was all Lonhro as he came away to win by 1 1/2 lengths from Ustinov with Pure Theatre third.

After the victory it was reported that Lonhro had suffered an injury with a minor wrench to a joint and it was felt in his best interests to spell for the autumn, meaning he would miss the WS Cox Plate. Stablemate Viscount who was soundly beaten in the Caulfield Guineas went to Moonee Valley and was gallant in finishing third to Northerly and Sunline, beaten just a length.

In early February Lonhro lined up as the odds on favourite for the Royal Sovereign Stakes, beginning a run of 25 consecutive races that he would start as favourite. Lonhro easily accounted for the small field before going on to win the Hobartville Stakes at this next start. Installed as pre-post favourite for the Doncaster Handicap and a nominal favourite for many of the big races of the Autumn, it was announced soon after that Lonhro has contracted a virus and the resultant delay in his preparation saw the 3yo spelled for his four year old season.

4yo
Lonhro returned bigger and stronger as a 4yo and again started his campaign in the Missile Stakes over 1100m at Rosehill. This was the first race where Lonhro was ridden by Darren Beadman and it was Lonhro's eighth consecutive victory, winning very easily by four lengths. As the short priced favourite Lonhro was expected to have no problem taking out the Warwick Stakes at his next start but was beaten a half head by Defier. Two weeks later Lonhro made ammends winning the Chelmsford Stakes over 1600m at Randwick by three lengths. At his next start only six horses lined up for the Group 1 George Main Stakes but it was described as a mini Cox Plate with Sunline, Defier, Lonhro, Excellerator and Shogun Lodge entered. Desperately unlucky, Lonhro was pocketed on the fence for much of the race and only saw daylight in the last 50m, sprinting home to finish fourth. Sunline set a moderate pace in front from Defier then Shogun Lodge outside Lonhro with Hey Pronto and Excellerator at the rear.

Lonhro was then sent to Melbourne for a rematch with Sunline in the group 1 Caulfield Stakes. A field of seven lined up but all race discussions were whether Sunline as a 7yo would return to form and if Lonhro having his first start beyond 1600m would be as effective over 2000m. The race was a spectacle with Sunline assuming her usual front running style and Lonhro stalking for most of the race in about third position. Little changed to the 800m where Sunline started to show her old form as she quickened from Ustinov as Lonhro started the long chase with Distinctly Secret heading the rest but they were in another race. Around the turn and the crowd roared as Sunline raced clear of Ustinov with Lonhro steadily making ground but giving the mare a huge head start. By the 300m Sunline was over three lengths clear as Lonhro settled into his task. By the 200m Sunline was in front but Lonhro was gaining and the crowd was deafening as the two great horses fought out the race. Inside the final 50m Sunline and Lonhro were level with the mare fighting back strongly but her younger rival edged in front to win by a half neck in race record time.

Both horses then headed to the WS Cox Plate two weeks later where Lonhro started $4 equal favouite with Northerly, but fans wondered how much the titanic struggle at Caulfield may have taken out of them. Settling last in a field of nine Lonhro was soundly beaten, finishing 7.3 lengths behind Northerly. Lonhro backed up a week later in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington, edging out Royal Code to finish his spring campaign.

Lonhro resumed in the autumn winning in the Expressway Stakes over 1200m by 2 lengths, three weeks later he crushed the Apollo Stakes field, winning by 3.5 lengths with a further 2 lengths to third. He was back a week later in the group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes at Warwick Farm over 1600m coming away to win under hands and heels riding by 1.5 lengths from Shogun Lodge. Nex ton the agenda was the group 1 George Ryder at Rosehill where Lonhro again won easily, this time by a 2 length margin. Lonhro was the raging favourite for the Doncaster Handicap at Randwick over 1600m where he would carry topweight of 57.5kgs. Defier and Shogun Lodge looked to be his main dangers but then the rain fell and both his rivals were scratched when the track was rated officially slow. Inside the final 200m Grand Armee, carrying 6kgs less than Lonhro, hit the front and race clear to pass the post three lengths ahead of Dash For Cash with two lengths to Boreale who held out Lonhro for third. This was Lonhro's third and final unplaced run in a race. Lonhro rounded out his autumn a week later in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m, making ammends for his doncaster failure in winning by 1.5 lengths.

There was brief speculation that Lonhro might be retired to stud but it was soon announced that Lonhro would return to racing as a 5yo with the WS Cox Plate his spring target. Sadly Lonhro's part owner Mr Jack Ingham passed away after a long battle with illness during the winter as Lonhro prepared to return to racing.

5yo
Lonhro began his 5yo season with a win in the AJC Warwick Stakes over 1400m. Two weeks later it was on to the Chelmsford Stakes where Lonhro again cruised to an easy win. The group 1 WFA George Main Stakes over 1600m at Randwick and a re match with Grand Armee was next. In a slowly run race Lonhro defeated Grand Armee by three lengths, with a further two lengths to defier in third. It was then to back to Melbourne for the Caulfield Stakes where Lonhro had a much easier time than the previous year where he battled Sunline. Winning by two lenghts, Lonhro became the first horse to win successive Caulfield Stakes since Kingston Town in 1981 and 1982.

Two weeks later Lonho looked invincible in the Cox Plate with recent stars Sunline and Northerly missing and only Defier and Fields of Omagh joining Lonhro from the 2002 field. There were doubts over Lonhro handling the Moonee Valley surface but his class was expected to overcome any problems. Then in the 40 minutes before the race it began to rain, continuing through to the race itself. Fields of Omagh hit the lead around the turn as Defier challenged and Lonhro lost ground trying to balance up for the straight. In the straight Fields of Omagh refused to give in to Defier with Lonhro charging down the outside. But it was too late as Fields of Omagh crossed the line to win by a long neck from Defier with Lonhro a half length away third as the rest of the field came in at intervals behind them.

After it appeared he would be starting his racing in Sydney Lonhro was a surprise entry in the group 1 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield. Inside the final 100m Lonhro swept up on the outside to hit the front from Sound Action and Super Elegant as Vocabulary took a narrow run between them. Vocabulary lunged at Lonhro but he was too good winning by half head with Sound Action third. Lonhro took on a similar field in the St George Stakes over 1800m two weeks later, winning eased up by 1.5 lengths. Lonhro then lined up in his final race in Victoria in the Australian Cup and the VRC made the day into a farewell for the champ - all he had to do was win.

The field featured the stars of the spring with Lonhro joined by Makybe Diva (Melbourne Cup), Mummify (Caulfield Cup), Elvstroem (VRC Derby) plus Group 1 winner Sound Action promising 3yo Delzao and the honest stayer Pentastic. On settling Physique led Mummify then Sound Action followed by Lonhro inside Delzao then Zacielo followed by Elvstroem then Pentastic with Zazzman and Makybe Diva at the rear. Little changed to the turn where Physique led Mummify with Sound Action joining them with Lonhro pocketed as Delzao improved with Elvstroem next. With 300m left Physique led Mummify and Sound Action with Lonhro trying to take the run between the pair but it closed as they drifted together. Lonhro was checked and Delzao held him in the pocket. With 200m left Mummify and Sound Action were fighting it out as Delzao made his run forcing Lonhro to check again and turn sideways to get clear on the outside but with a lot of ground to make up. By the 100m Delzao was two lengths clear and responding to his riders hard riding from Sound Action as Lonhro got balanced to chase from Mummify with Makybe Diva making ground along the rail and Elvstroem and Pentastic out wider. 50m from home Delzao was still a half length in front but Lonhro showed his champion qualities in never giving up the chase. Slowly but surely Lonhro was gaining on the 3yo and hit the front three strides from the post to win to win by a half neck with a gap to Elvstroem third and Pentastic fourth. It as an emotional win for connections and race fans as even the critics realised how special Lonhro really was.

Lonhro then returned home to Sydney for the George Ryder Stakes where his sire Octagonal led the field out onto the track and then galloped down the straight as the field went to the barriers. In the final 100m Lonhro started to race away winning by 2 1/2 lengths from Grand Armee with a further 1 1/2 lengths to Private Steer who was to win the Doncaster - All Aged Stakes Group 1 double at her next two starts. On the final day of the AJC carnival Lonhro lined up for his final race start in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. By the 800m Grand Armee was five lengths in front of Pentastic and nearly eight lengths ahead of Lonhro and was barely going 3/4 pace. Passing the 600m Grand Armee was let stride a mile in front of Pentastic and Sound Action with Lonhro making ground on the outside of the field already well away from the inside rail. On straightening Grand Armee was at full speed and well clear as Lonhro ran on down the outside rail with Pentastic battling on. By the 300m it was obvious fans worst fears had come true Grand Armee was full of running and three lengths clear of Lonhro who made slight ground but the head start made the task impossible. Grand Armee was ridden right out to the line winning officially by six lengths from Lonhro who was eased up.

At Stud
Lonhro was then retired to Woodlands Stud, the place of his birth to stand next to his own sire Octagonal. His initial fee was announced as AUD$66,000 a record for local first season stallions but comparable with first season shuttle horses from the Northern Hemisphere. While there was some discussion over the price Lonhro is arguably the best performed stallion to retire to stud in Australia since Tulloch in the early 1960s.

Lonhro retired to stud with the record of 35 starts for 26 wins 3 seconds and 2 thirds with an incredible 74 winning percentage and earnings of $5,790,510. He was undefeated on dead going and was undefeated at Flemington, won six of his seven starts at Caulfield and six of eight at Rosehill. He won 3 of 5 starts over 1100m, 3 of 4 over 1200m, 6 races from 7 over 1400m was undefeated over 1500m and won 5 of 7 over 1600m and 5 of 6 over 2000m. The only distance he raced over and failed to win was 2040m and that only at Moonee Valley.

Lonhro won a total of 11 Group 1 races, 10 Group 2 races and 3 Group 3 races and all but his very first two starts in a race were in Group and Listed company.