War Heroine Highlights Lonhro in North America

When Darley announced champion Australian sire Lonhro would shuttle to their Kentucky base in 2012 it seemed a somewhat unlikely fit, but with the last of three crops of Northern Hemisphere conceived foals now three year-olds, results would indicate the son of Octagonal has in fact done a better job than many may think.

Brilliant US bred three year-old Lonhro filly War Heroine was a TDN Rising Star when winning on debut at Del Mar last year and the Peter Miller trained filly has gone right on with the job.

Already a winner of the Listed Sweet Life Stakes at Santa Anita, she soared to new heights on Saturday when taking out the Group II San Clemente Stakes over one mile on turf to take her overall record to four wins from six starts.

A modest $37,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, War Heroine has now won over $240,000 in prizemoney.

"She's an extremely fast filly; extremely fast," said winning rider Tyler Baze.

"But it isn't so much about the speed, it's about how they're expending their energy. She was doing it well today. I knew she was good for a mile; she's all heart. She loves to stick her neck out and win. She's tough."

Trainer Peter Miller compared War Heroine to his former top class performer Belvoir Bay, who is also co-owned by War Heroine's owner Gary Barber.

"She reminds me a lot of Belvoir Bay--small but mighty. She's got a big heart and a lot of speed. I didn't think we'd be on the lead and I told Tyler she doesn't need to be, but if they give it to you, take it. He rode a super race, got reasonable fractions and she really kicked home strong. I see no reason not to try her in the [1 1/8-mile GI] Del Mar Oaks [Aug. 18]. I think that's the move and that's what we'll do."

War Heroine is one of nine stakes-winners from Lonhro's three Northern Hemisphere crops that have so far produced 96 winners from 187 starters or 71.7% winners to runners with 6.6 % stakes-winners to runners.

Turning 20 this year, Lonhro is enjoying ongoing success as a sire of sires with his champion Golden Slipper winning son Pierro dominating his rivals to be the Champion Australian Second Crop Sire, while his first son to go to stud Denman, has had a remarkably successful season siring over 100 winners of more than $5.6million to be in 22^nd place on the Australian General Sires List.

Lonhro has also had his usually good season with over 100 winners of $8.4million with Group I winners Kementari and Impending his star performers.

He stands at Darley in the Hunter Valley this spring at a fee of $55,000.