A proven sire of 68 stakes-winners worldwide, 10 of them Group I winners, Holy Roman Emperor has enjoyed success in every corner of the globe and particularly in Hong Kong where his progeny are highly valued.
"Holy Roman Emperor is well and truly making his mark as a sire of sound, tough, classy gallopers," said Neville Murdochof Larneuk Stud.
"We are delighted to be standing such a high quality galloper as Honorius."
Described as "a magic horse who is a pleasure to do anything with,"
Murdoch urges mare owners to note just what a talented performer Honorius was.Precocious enough to race as a pre-Christmas two-year-old, Honorius was close up at his first couple of starts - thought highly enough of to kick off his second campaign in the Group II ATCSkyline Stakes in which he finished off well to run fifth before another good effort in the Group III ATC T.L Baillieu Handicap after sitting wide.
When dropped back to maiden class Honorius was not surprisingly favourite and he was able to quickly put away future dual Group I winner Fiveandahalfstar over 1550m at Canterbury.
Up in class and distance at Rosehill at his next outing, the bay was a dominant 2 3/4 length winner (Fiveandahalfstar third) of the Juvenile Stayers contest at Rosehill - impressing trainer David Payne.
"He won easily today. He is a nice horse who has put back to back wins on the board. He stays very well and these races are indicative of what he can do in the future."
Whilst nominated for the Group I ATC T.J Smith Stakes at the time, Honorius headed to the paddock and whilst not winning that spring he was in the placings in four consecutive stakes races including a second to It's A Dundeel in the Group III ATC Gloaming Stakes and a third to that same horse in the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes.
Heading to Melbourne he found trouble in the Group III MRC Norman Robinson Stakes and yet was strong to the line, only just missing out on the prize before contesting the Group I VRC Victoria Derby won by his old rival Fiveandahalfstar - out of the placings but finishing just behind It's A Dundeel.
Again competitive over the Sydney autumn, Honorius recorded three black type placings in a row including a gallant third in the Group I BRC Queensland Derby.
He returned at four to win the Group III ATC Craven Plate. a race which has been won by the likes of
Mummify, Tie The Knot, Yippyio, Ming Dynasty, Denise's Joy, Peter Pan and even
Phar Lap!Tough and versatile, Honorius is typical of the Holy Roman Emperor breed, who have achieved diverse success through horses such as Mongolian Khan (Caulfield Cup, Australian and NZ Derbies), Designs On Rome (HK Horse of the Year) and Sheidel(MRC Oakleigh Plate).
A son of breed shaping sire Danehill from the family of champion Australian sires Flying Spur and Encosta de Lago, Holy Roman Emperor raced just seven times winning four races including the Group IPhoenix Stakes at The Curragh and the Group I Grand Criterium at Longchamp.
With progeny earnings in excess of $83 million, Holy Roman Emperor is well and truly proving himself at stud and his recent Hong Kong title is his second whilst he has also been runner up on two occasions.
Honorius is also an extremely well bred horse through his female pedigree being a half-brother to the South African superstar Igugu, four times a Group I winner.
His dam Zarinia, by Red Ransom's dual Group winner Intikhab, hails from a strong international family whose members include the unbeaten superstar Zarkava and French Oaks winner Zainta, not to mention Australian Group II winner Zerpour.
Dive back a bit further into Honorius' pedigree and you will discover he hails
from the world's best stallion family with his fifth dam being the legendary
Mumtaz Mahal's champion descendant Petite Etoile.Consider the stallions to have come from this prolific family... Nasrullah, Mahmoud, Royal Charger, Badruddin, Abernant, Fair Trial, Tudor Minstrel, Kalamoun, Adraan, Danewin, Commands, Kaapstad... the list goes on!
"He will be an easy stallion to match up," Neville Murdoch said, "and he has the type, performance and temperament to go with his outstanding pedigree."
Representing Knightsbridge Bloodstock on behalf of Honorius' owner, Issaree Suwunnavid is also excited about Honorius's propects, noting that they will be supporting him with a good book of well related mares.
"With his impeccable pedigree and strong racing credentials Honorius will have every opportunity to be a star ofthe future," he said, "and we believe he will prove very popular with both Victorian breeders and around the world; in Hong Kong, Japan, Europe, UK and Singapore."
Honorius stands at a debut fee of $5500 (incl gst). For further information contact Neville Murdoch on 0418 105 706 or visitwww.larneuk.comandwww.facebook.com/pages/Larneuk-Stud/455896497806590
