The horse that wore his heart on his head was a genuine, high quality champion

The distinctive heart-shaped marking on Lankan Rupee's forehead is a captivating feature that drew admiration from all who encounterd him. His allure is undeniable, making him a horse that effortlessly captures the hearts of those around him. In addition to his aesthetic appeal, Lankan Rupee, under the tutelage of the esteemed Price/Kent stables, achieved amazing success on the racetrack, capturing five prestigious Group One races and amassing over $4 million in prize money. The offspring of Redoute's Choice by the impeccably bred Stravinsky mare, Estelle Collection, concluded his racing career in 2017 with an impressive record. Lankan Rupee showed star quality as a two-year-old but was erratic. Owner Yaseen and Price decided the best way to maximise the colt was to geld him.

In October 2013, Lankan Rupee entered the spring as just another nondescript sprinter with a humble win in a benchmark 78 race at Moonee Valley. In the Dilmah Earl Grey Stakes (1000m) Snitzerland and Lankan Rupee cleared out from the 300m and staged a stirring duel, with Lankan Rupee a narrow victor. The gelding won three Group One sprints during the autumn of 2014 and added two more Group One wins the following season.

He won the Gr.2 Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield, then two weeks later was victorious in the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate, beating home Spirit Of Boom. In March, Lankan Rupee won the million dollar Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington over 1200m. It was an incredible month for the sprinter who returned after a short freshen up in April 2014 at Royal Randwick. Lankan Rupee was ridden by Craig Newitt and scored his most significant win to date, getting the money in the $2,500,000 Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes, defeating Rebel Dane. Two more Group ones were to follow, with wins in the Manikato (1100m) at Moonee Valley in October and victory in the 2015 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) beating Brazen Beau. After he finished third in the Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield in October and was subsequently found to have been suffering from bone necrosis in one of his hocks.

The world’s equal-highest-rated sprinter that year, Lankan Rupee looked well placed to reach a new high after his win in the Gr.1 Black Caviar Lightning over 1000m at Flemington. The Mick Price-trained five-year-old was given an international rating of 123 at the end of 2014, the equal-highest rating for sprinters, alongside Terravista on the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. The 2013-14 Australian Racehorse of the Year returned for his spring prep when beaten under half-a-length by Ability in the Gr. 3 Bletchingly Stakes in August 2017 but disappointed to run last in the Gr.3 Spring Stakes at Morphettville. The 8yo ran his last race when finishing sixth in the Gr.2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield. Following his retirement in 2017, the five times G1 winner he embarked on a new chapter in his career, transitioning to the world of show jumping.

RACE RECORD - 29: 11-4-5

EARNINGS - $4,129,510

G1 Oakleigh Plate

G1 Newmarket Handicap

G1 Darley TJ Smith

G1 Manikato Stakes

G1 Black Caviar Lightning