Lonhro, one of Australian racing’s glamour racehorses, is on the verge of being crowned a champion sire.
More than seven years since he retired from racing with 11 Group One wins and almost $5.8 million in stakes, Lonhro is making the running in the Australian general sire lists for prize money.
Earnings by his progeny for 2010-2011 soared past the $7 million mark at the weekend and the Darley-owned stallion now holds a commanding lead over his nearest rival, the Coolmore shuttle stallion High Chaparral.
Lonhro’s two-year-old son Benfica helped swell the coffers with his TJ Smith Stakes win at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Benfica, who is the third Group One winner sired by Lonhro, banked $320,000 for his rail-hugging victory.
The victory also gave Darley a clean sweep of Australia’s Group One juvenile races for the season.
Beaded went within a neck of giving Lonhro a Group One double at the Eagle Farm meeting when she finished second in the Stradbroke Handicap.
She collected $200,000 to increase her sire’s lead and a win in the $500,000 Tattersall’s Tiara – the final Group One races of the season – at Eagle Farm on Saturday week will put the title beyond doubt for Lonhro.
High Chaparral, who made most of the early-season running on the back of So You Think’s spring deeds, holds down second ahead of two-time winner Redoute’s Choice.
The Australian racing season ends on July 31.
AAP TURF
