Recording his second G1 winner in the space of two weeks and his third overall, Darley stallion Lonhro has further cemented his position at the top of the General Sires’ Table after the exciting victory of Benfica in the G1 T.J. Smith on 11 June.
After jumping away well from a middle barrier, the Peter Snowden-trained colt settled on the rails, not too far off the race leader and favourite Hot Snitzel.
As the field rounded the home turn, jockey Kerrin McEvoy urged the lightly-raced juvenile along the rails to gather in Hot Snitzel and record a memorable length-and-a-quarter win.
The performance of the Lonhro colt gave the Darley stallions a clean sweep of the G1 juvenile features this racing season after the earlier victories of Sepoy (Elusive Quality) in the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper, and Exceed And Excel colt Helmet in the Sires’ and Champagne Stakes.
Racing in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed and bred by Darley Australia, Benfica is out of the Danehill mare Hut, a half-sister to Dalquarren, who is in turn the dam of G1 Queen of the Turf Stakes winner Neroli. From the family of Stakes winners Riverina Charm, Paolino, Mirandola and Sarawatch, Benfica is bred on the successful Lonhro - Danehill cross which has already produced Stakes winners Deer Valley, Pinwheel and BlackMinx.
Later in the day Lonhro mare Beaded went within a half-length of recording a G1 double for their sire, finishing second in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap after enduring a wide run.
Standing the forthcoming breeding season for $77,000 (inc GST) at Darley Kelvinside, Lonhro is the sire of 25 Stakes winners to date including G1 winners Denman and Beaded, G2 winners Parables, O’Lonhro and Obsequious as well as G3 winners Deer Valley, Trim and Demerit.
