3 minute read

Athiri adds much deserved black-type to her record

Admirable mare Athiri (4 m ex Retsina by Redoute's Choice) added some much deserved black-type to her CV when she landed the Razor Sharp Handicap (Listed, 1200m) at Randwick on Saturday and in the process handed Darley stalwart Lonhro (Octagonal) with his 90th stakes winner. 

The James Cummings-trained four-year-old has had a few near misses at stakes level, but she finally got her head in front to beat Southern Lad (Ocean Park) by a length and a half. Tactical Advantage (Bel Esprit) was another length and a quarter further away in third. 

Godolphin's stable representative Darren Beadman, who was Lonhro's regular jockey throughout the horse's glittering career, said it was fitting Athiri raised the bar this week.

"Lonhy's got another stakes winner. He was 22 the other day so it is good to see him still producing horses of this calibre," Beadman said.

"She's been up a long time but you certainly need a fit, hard horse today.”

Athiri is out of winning Redoute’s Choice (Danehill) mare Retsina, meaning she is bred on the same cross as seven other stakes winners headed by Group 1 winner Kementari. Restina has produced one other winner in the shape of Group 2 winner Savatiano (Street Cry). 

Restina herself is out of Group 1 winner Star Shiraz (Sequalo), while this is the same family as Listed-winning duo Classic Day (Coronation Day) and In His Stride (Rothesay). 

In 2018 Retsina produced a colt by Hallowed Crown (Street Sense) and he is now called Vilana and is unraced. The following season the mare foaled a brother to Athiri and she has most recently produced a colt by Street Boss (Street Cry). 

Lonhro has 14 lots catalogued at the upcoming Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, which gets underway on January 12.