3 minute read

Coolmore snap up Lonhro colt for NZ$675,000

After buying an American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile) in conjunction with Guy Mulcaster and Chris Waller on day one of Karaka 2020 on Sunday, Coolmore made their presence felt again during the second session as they went to NZ$675,000 for a colt by Darley stalwart Lonhro (Octagonal) from the Cambridge Stud draft. 

Catalogued as Lot 342, the colt is the first foal out of Group 3-winning Commands (Danehill) mare Thames Court, who is in turn out Listed winner Pantenny (Canny Lad). The colt's fourth dam is Listed winner Purple Maze (In The Purple). 

Bloodstock agent James Bester said he rated the colt as one of the best yearlings by the stallion he had ever seen and said Coolmore had identified him as one of the colts of the sale so were happy to have secured him. 

"This is a beautiful colt by Lonhro one of the best Lonhro's you could see. His mother still holds the track record for a mile at Moonee Valley, so she was obviously very good," said Bester. 

"We think he is a quality animal and a late season two-year-old, possibly the Golden Rose or Guineas type. He is a Kementari type of Lonhro - he is a special horse and I haven't seen a Lonhro for a while with his much quality.

Awesome head, awesome mover - just a beautiful animal with what seemed to be a beautiful temperament throughout as well. 

"We are thrilled to have got him."

Coolmore purchased five colts and one rig at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier in the month and Bester said they have been deliberately been targeting colts at the sales. 

"Colts are the holy grail, if you hit the right colt and get the stallion prospect you've done well. You will notice this year there has been an emphasis on finding the best colts we can," said Bester. 

"We thought the American Pharoah yesterday from Pencarrow and this Lonhro were the best colts on the complex. We also tried on the Pierro yesterday, but were blown out of the water. We are targeting that kind of animal." 

Henry Plumptre, CEO of Cambridge Stud, said the price-tag soared way above what they had expected for the colt. 

"It's way beyond our expectations, to be honest," said Plumptre. "He was quite a small, backward foal but he has done very well in prep. He's kept improving all the time and I think that probably grabbed James Bester, who was the one that picked him out, was that he loves athletic horses. He's a beautifully athletic colt.

"He never took a backward step this week. He paraded all the time. He got a bit tired towards the end of the week. 

"He has gone to a great home and (Coolmore) are massive supporters of the market both here and in Australia. We're hoping that he wins a Group 1 for them.

"She's a mare that David Brideoake had and he sold her to Brendan Lindsay. They also had another mare who had a Redoute's Choice that made $800,000 here last year, so the relationship between David and Brendan is very strong. He hasn't sold us a dud yet."