The abiding influence exerted by Lonhro on Australian racing came to the fore yet again with the victory of Lyre in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes on Saturday, 23 February.
Due to begin his 15th season at stud in 2019, Lonhro is still achieving a winners-to-runners rate of better than 70 percent.
The champion racehorse of his era, he has sired 81 Stakes winners, with Lyre his 12th at G1 level.
In a fast-run race, Lyre was near last of the 14 runners before being taken wide by jockey Luke Currie at the 300m.
After making ground coming to the 200m, the filly surged to the front 50m out and won by a half-length from Lankan Star with Free Of Debt in third place.
Athiri, another daughter of Lonhro, finished fourth.
Lyre had won two of her only three starts before the Blue Diamond and will now be considered for a start in next month’s G1 Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill.
Lyre's win was the second Darley-sired G1 winner of the day with Alizee (Sepoy) winning the G1 Futurity Stakes the race before.
