A legend on and off the track, Lonhro was known as "The Black Flash" and a champion sire

Lonhro is a champion Australian racehorse that was nicknamed "The Black Flash". He was from the first crop of the champion Octagonal out of the Group One-placed Shadea (by Straight Strike), who also produced the Group one winner Niello, as a younger, full-brother to Lonhro. He was bred and owned by Woodlands Stud, foaled in 1998, 'tiny but perfect'. He was trained by John Hawkes out if his Flemington stables, who also trained his father, The big 'O'. Lonhro's name was derived from the stock exchange code for the London Rhodesian Mining and Land Company, LONRHO. The horse's name is intentionally misspelled.

His initial evaluation on the racetrack occurred at Rosehill, where he achieved a commendable second-place finish in a distinguished Listed race. He upped the tempo in his next outing, winning by 2 ½ lengths in a 1100m sprint race at the same track. Lonhro warmed up for the Blue Diamond Stakes with a brilliant win in the Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield from Neiwand. From that point on, the dark bay stallion consistently delivered first class performances.

Although Lonhro had to accept playing second fiddle to Viscount, another of Hawke's favourites, he was more then determined to demonstrate his prowess by achieving significant victories in Group races, including the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas and Gr.2 Stan Fox Stakes. Despite encountering an injury and a viral illness that necessitated time away from the track, Lonhro's popularity among the racing fans remained unwavering.

Nevertheless, he continued to win with Darren Beadman in the saddle. He surpassed one of his most dangerous competitors, Sunline, in the Gr.1 Caulfield Stakes at Caulfield, following a defeat to the champion mare in the 1600m Gr.1 George Main Stakes.

The rumors of Lonhro's retirement at the age of five were dispelled in August 2003 when the horse made a remarkable comeback. Lonhro secured victories in the AJC Warwick Stakes and Chelmsford Stakes, culminating in consecutive triumphs in the Caulfield Stakes. In the 2004, the stallion showed off his galloping skills on the hallowed turf, securing a prominent position among the highest echelons of Australian horse racing history. Notably, he achieved this feat by surpassing formidable opponents such as Makybe Diva in the prestigious 2004 Gr.1 Australian Cup held at Flemington, where Lonhro was pocketed until the final 200m, but still managed to get up to beat Delzao and Elvstroem. Lonhro's illustrious career ended with a commendable 2nd to Grand Armee in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, concluding with an exceptional record of 26 victories from 35 competitive starts.

Lonhro had nine victories in his last ten runs including six straight group 1 wins since his 2002 Cox Plate failure, (6th behind Northerly), however the event eluded the horse again in 2023, unable to catch winner, Fields of Omagh in driving rain. It was a case of missing out on legendary status and matching the great deeds of his father, Octagonal. Many argue that without this crown Lonhro was a step behind the great thoroughbreds such as Winx, Sunline, Northerly, Tobin Bronze, Phar Lap, Maykbe Diva, So You Think and Kingston Town.

In saying that, one must consider Moonee Valley as a tight turning circuit didn't suit every champion, and horses as natural leaders or running close to the pace are typically at an advantage in the fast run event.

Despite this, Lonhro often exhibited sheer brilliance throughout his racing career, with outstanding victories and accumulated substantial earnings just short of $6 million. Lonhro's victories included 25 stakes races, showcasing his versatility across various distances ranging from 1100 to 2000 metres. Notably, he has secured 11 prestigious Group one wins during his racing career, spanning four years. Twenty-four of his wins came in group stakes. Lonhro's racing career concluded with titles as, Australia Horse of the Year and champion miler for the 2003-04 season - Australian Racehorse of the year - Australian Middle Distance Champion 2004 - Australian Champion Three Year Old 2002 - Leading sire in Australia 2011 and World Champion Miler 2002. A long list of honour's.

A gifted equine athlete, Lonhro exceeded his racetrack exploits while in the breeding barn. Lonhro sired his 1000th individual winner before retiring from stud duties in 2023, and to date his progeny earnings are $147,105,222. He has 95 individual Stakes winners of 191 Black-Type races and has sired a string of elite Stakes winners including: Impending, Kementari, Pierro, Lyre, Aristia, Lindermann, Beaded, Bounding, Benfica, Denman, Exosphere, Mental and The Conglomerate to name but a few. Lonhro also became a sire of sires - with Impending, Pierro, Denman, Encryption and Exosphere standing at stud in Australia. Lonhro’s early influence as a broodmare sire is equally as remarkable with his daughters producing 101 Group-winning horses, including the likes of So Si Bon (So You Think), Osborne Bulls (Street Cry), Barber (Exceed And Excel), Niedorp (Not A Single Doubt), Golden Mile (Astern), Trobriand (Kermadec), Serene Majesty (Fastnet Rock).

At the 2023 Easter Sales he produced a $1.05 million result for a filly out of Cool Passion. Lonhro retired from the Darley roster sound, happy, healthy and will remain in residence at Kelvinside.

RACE RECORD - 35:26-3-2

EARNINGS - A$5,790,510

Australian Cup (2004)

C F Orr Stakes (2004)

George Ryder Stakes (2003 & 2004)

Caulfield Stakes (2002 & 2003)

George Main Stakes (2003)

Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2003)

Chipping Norton Stakes (2003)

LKS Mackinnon Stakes (2002)

Caulfield Guineas (2001)