20 Stakes winners for Lonhro

Talented mare Dysphonia becomes the latest Stakes winner for her sire with victory in the Festival Stakes

After jumping away very well from the gates and crossing to the rail, four-year-old Lonhro mare Dysphonia took up an uncustomary role to lead throughout to score a half length victory over last start G3 Newcastle Cup winner Stratofortress in the Listed Festival Stakes at Rosehill on December 4.

Ridden by apprentice Tommy Berry, the six time-winning mare became the 20th individual Stakes winner for her Horse of the Year sire Lonhro. Having sired six Stakes winners so far this season, Lonhro sits on top of the Australian Stakes winner table with fellow Darley stallion Commands.

Bred by Woodlands Stud, Dysphonia is out of the winning Night Shift mare Stutter, a half-sister to the dam of the dual Listed-winning Octagonal gelding Jeremiad. Bred on the same Lonhro – Night Shift cross as Stakes winners Beaded, Parables and Trim, Dysphonia’s first Stakes victory has added considerable value to her broodmare appeal.

Earlier in the day, racing in same colours as Dysphonia, Lonhro two-year-old Benfica who was having his first start scored an impressive one-and-a-half length victory over 1100m to give her sire a winning Rosehill double.

With the 2011 yearling sale season set to soon commence, Lonhro has an impressive 23 yearlings catalogued for the first sale of the season, the Magic Millions Premier yearling sale which starts on January 12 at the Gold Coast.