The decision by Tony Santic to send his triple Melbourne Cup winner to Darley star stallion Lonhro this breeding season has been celebrated in many quarters of the racing industry.
This morning’s Daily Telegraph featured the news on its front page, declaring that it was a “match made in racehorse heaven.”
This will be Makybe Diva’s fifth mating.
In 2006, her first year as a broodmare, she was sent to Epsom Derby winner Galileo. The resulting foal, Rockstardom, turns three on Sunday and is expected to be seen at the racetrack in the next couple of months.
Her second foal was from Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, while she has since been to Rock of Gibraltar and More Than Ready.
However, a mating with Lonhro brings together two of Australia’s most popular horses from the last decade.
They raced together just once – when Lonhro recorded one of the most remarkable victories ever seen at Flemington in the 2004 Australian Cup (2000m).
Makybe Diva was fourth.
Between them, they won 20 Group 1s and almost $20 million in prizemoney.
It is believed that the resulting foal could fetch up to $5 million dollars in the sales ring, a phenomenal price.
Written by Andrew Hawkins