Lonhro won 11 Group 1 races during a stellar career, including the Caulfield Guineas, Mackinnon Stakes and Queens Elizabeth Stakes.

“It is with a heavy heart that Godolphin Australia have announced the passing of former Darley stallion, Lonhro,” Goldolphin said in a statement.

“A wonderful contributor to the Australian racing and breeding worlds, and as ‘the people’s champion’ Lonhro will be forever remembered for what he was able to achieve on the racetrack.

“Lonhro had a huge and well-earned following, and he earnt the admiration and respect of everyone within our Godolphin teams over his years as a Darley stallion and in his retirement. We were honoured to have him as part of our operation.”

Lonhro’s most famous win was in the 2004 Australian Cup when he chased down Delzao near the line from an impossible position.

He won 26 times during his 35-start career and amassed $5.79 million in prizemoney, a significant amount for that era.

“It’s been an honour to be associated with him and it was a special moment for me to get back aboard him,” his jockey Darren Beadman told Racenet in 2018.

“He’s just a really special horse. He’s got such a kind eye, he’s still got such presence about him.”

Lonhro has also made his mark at stud, crowned champion sire of Australia in 2010/11, becoming the first horse in more than 40 years to do the Australian champion racehorse of the year/champion sire of Australia double.

MORE TO COME.

Originally published as R.I.P Lonhro: Champion racehorse and stallion dies