Lonhro Filly Makes Explosive Debut

Mark Smith - Saturday December 1

A week after Godolphin's Brazen Beau colt Tassort raced his way to Golden Slipper favouritism with a facile win in the Golden Gift at Rosehill, Godolphin took the wraps off another hugely impressive debutant in the Lonhro filly Athiri.

Athiri Ridden by Glyn Schofield, the James Cummings-trained filly raced midfield as Nuclear Summit and Stronger set a solid pace. Desperate for a run, Schofield found a seam between runners halfway down the straight and once she saw daylight Athiri (image Steve Hart) came clear to win eased down by two lengths from the Brazen Beau colt Accession with Not A Single Doubt colt Stronger three-quarter of a length back in third.

"A ripping debut from a very uncomplicated filly," Cummings said.

"She has got a wonderful attitude. She was not as robust as some of the colts we saw in the yard here.

"She just sweated on a run for half a furlong, it didn't faze her as her attitude is her greatest strength and we may have unveiled another attribute in her great turn of foot."

A half-sister to Listed Mona Lisa Stakes winner Savatiano, who placed in the Group II Blazer Stakes and Group III HKJC Stakes over the Melbourne Spring Carnival, Athiri is the third foal of the winning Redoute's Choice mare Retsina who is a daughter of the crack racemare Star Shiraz (Sequalo),

A $15,000 yearling purchase by trainer Rex Lipp at a mixed sale at Toowoomba back in 2003, Star Shiraz won six and placed in seven of her 27 starts with earnings of $859,400.

Advertisement

Her highlight came when winning the Group 1 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes and was runner-up in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic and Group 1 QTC TJ Smith Classic.

Connections hit the jackpot again when they consigned Star Shiraz to the 2007 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale where she was purchased by Darley for $1,125,000.

She was back in the same arena ten years later when sold to Aquis Farm for $200,000.

Retsina's 2017 Exosphere colt died after birth but on October 3 she foaled a Hallowed Crown colt.

Lonhro has nine lots on offer at the Gold Coast I January, a single entry at the Inglis Classic and three at the Inglis Premier.

Advertisment
More Reading...
OTI Racing officially enters New Zealand market
OTI Racing is officially going trans-Tasman, with the Australian syndicator becoming a licensed New Zealand syndicator this week.
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.
Darley Blueblood Salutes
When Darley sent Group I winning Redoute’s Choice mare Anamato to the Northern Hemisphere to start her stud career, they probably had high hopes of success, but after producing one stakes-winner from four foals, she is now back in Australia and had a winner on Tuesday.
Gimcrack Winner Bred By Cornerstone
THE "BACKSLAPPING" in the backwaters of the Barossa on Saturday afternoon, paled into insignificance when compared to the celebrations of the connections of SHIKI that won on debut!
Sword of State 2YO Ready for Debut
A pair of promising youngsters are set to make their debut for Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby at Avondale on Wednesday, but track conditions may scupper plans for one of them.
National Thoroughbred Week invites support through GoFundMe campaign
National Thoroughbred Week (NTW) is calling on the thoroughbred community and broader public to be part of history, with the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to help bring this inaugural celebration to life.
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.
Briasa Boost as More Youngsters Impress on HIT Sale Eve
The timing couldn’t be better for a sale page's pedigree boost, with Briasa announcing himself as one of Australia’s most exciting sprinters following his dominant victory in Saturday’s $1 million Group Two Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
2025 G1 Caulfield Guineas Field and Barrier Draw
A full field plus emergencies have accepted for the $3million Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday with Golden Rose runners Wodeton, Autumn Boy, Nepotism and Rivellino all engaged.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 7
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.