Lonhro Colt to Run in Kentucky Derby

Tara Madgwick - Saturday March 31
A three year-old Lonhro colt bred in North America and trained in the UK by Jeremey Noseda won the Listed Burradon Stakes on the all-weather track at Newcastle Friday securing a start in the Group I Kentucky Derby on May 5.

LonhroGronkowski is unbeaten this year, reeling off three straight wins on all weather surfaces in the UK culminating with this length and a quarter win over a mile.

The Burradon was a change in plan as originally the colt was slated to head to North America for his next start in either Group II Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland  or Group I Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

Noseda had a rethink in part because of a misunderstanding about the Derby qualifying points system. Points earned in the European Road to the Kentucky Derby do not cross over to the main Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

"We've had this dream, and now the dream is alive," Noseda told At The Races.

"We'll go to Kentucky and it will be a huge task and a huge ask, but it's what we set out to do. We're going to try and 'Run for the Roses' underneath the Twin Spires. It's always been a dream of mine, and I'm looking forward to it."

Gronkowski was a $75,000 Keeneland November weanling, then a 50,000 Tattersalls October Yearling, who then made 300,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale when bought by Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock and runs for Phoenix Thoroughbreds.

He has already won four of six starts, but his trainer feels the best is yet to come.

"It sounds strange, but I haven't yet seen on the racetrack what I believe this horse is capable of. I'm sure there's more to come," Noseda added.

"We'll go and sharpen up and get ready for Kentucky now. We'll need a much better effort, but I'm sure we can do ourselves justice. He hasn't got real gears, but if he can get into a rhythm, he can keep in a rhythm a long time."

Gronkowski is the first winner for unraced Four Sugars, a half-sister by Lookin at Lucky to US Group I winner Flashy Bull and stakes-winner Pink Viper.

He is the 74th stakes-winner for Darley's champion sire Lonhro, who has half a dozen entries for the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.



Advertisment
More Reading...
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Nicks That Click - Two Darley Champions Combine
A powerful nick between champion Darley sires Lonhro and Exceed and Excel produced it's tenth stakes-winner on Saturday.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Five heats for juveniles at the Rosehill trials on Monday included  some eye-catching winners including Godolphin’s Lonhro colt Beyliks, who was placed in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate.
Lonhro's Ranier in Heartstopping Festival Stakes Win
An inspired rail hugging ride by Brenton Avdulla had supporters of Live And Free counting their money in the closing stages of Saturday’s Group III Iron Jack Festival Stakes at Rosehill when down the outside came Kathy O’Hara on Godolphin’s honest Lonhro gelding Ranier to spoil the party.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
85th Stakes Winner for Lonhro
A bit of shrewd placing by the Godolphin team resulted in the 5-year-old Lonhro mare Soothing earning a valuable black-type win in Saturday’s Listed W H Wylie Hcp (1100m) at Morphettville.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.