America gets a turn of our Black Horse.

The concept of shuttle stallions is now well and truly established in the Thoroughbred Industry.  Global operations like Darley and Coolmore have multiple farms in America, Ireland/England, Australia, and in Darley's case, Japan.  John Messara, of Arrowfield Stud, can arguably lay claim to being the man behind the whole shuttle stallion concept in Australia, and it's overwhelming success, because of his selection and subsequent half share purchase in the mighty stallion Danehill.  Messara's stallion roster is now actually 100% Australian bred, but his stallion All American (Red Ransom - Milva) was I think the first Australian bred stallion to shuttle to an American farm.  Previously stallions have shuttled from Australia to the northern hemisphere, but their destinations have largely been to Europe, with Octagonal, Fastnet Rock, Choisir, Starspangledbanner, Encosta de Lago and Exceed and Excel all serving in the northern hemisphere.

This year however, an absolute great of the Australian turf, and now breeding industry, will become the 2nd Australian bred horse to shuttle to the United States of the America, with the news that Lonhro (Octagonal - Shadea) will this year travel to Darley's Jonabell Farm in the Bluegrass of Kentucky.  This near black stallion was Champion Racehorse of Australia in 2004.  He won 11 Group 1 races, including the Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Stakes (twice), George Ryder Stakes (twice), Queen Elizabeth Stakes, George Main Stakes, CF Orr Stakes, Australian Cup, MacKinnon Stakes and the Chipping Norton Stakes.

Lonhro the Racehorse.  Winning 1 of his 11 Group 1 races, the 2003 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).



Lonhro winning his 11th Group 1 race, the 2004 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).

Then in 2010-2011 he joined the great Vain as the only Racehorse of the Year to also become Champion Stallion of Australia.  He is pictured here at Darley's Aberdeen Stud in the Hunter Valley of NSW.  We took these images on 31 August 2011, the day before the formal start of the 2011-2012 breeding season.


Lonhro at stud, at Darley Kelvinside.  Aberdeen NSW.







 












So America.  Enjoy  him.  He's a superstar.  You are so lucky that he is coming across.  Take care of him, and send him home safely to us here in Australia.  We love him dearly.  He's a superstar, and a truly great stallion.  And from my own point of view, having seen the absolute professionalism and care that Darley lavish on their horses, and their stallions in particular, I am absolutely sure that the great Lonhro will be in good hands during his stay on American soil.

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