Sheikh
Mohammed's Australian breeding operation under the Godolphin Australia banner enjoyed
incredible success this season producing five individual Group I winners, but
the vagaries of breeding were highlighted by a winner at Townsville on Thursday
that is a full brother to one of those Group I winners.
Three year-old Lonhro gelding Malos was sacked from the Godolphin team
following four unplaced runs for James Cummings, but has found a new lease of
life racing at Townsville under the care of John Barr.
Three starts in North Queensland have delivered two wins and a second, his
second win coming today in a 1200 metre three year-old handicap, so his new
owners are no doubt delighted with Malos..
Malos is the first foal of placed Street Cry (IRE) mare Erato, a sibling to
Group I winner Impending (by Lonhro), Group III winner Forget and stakes-winner
Epidemic, not to mention Group II placed Memorial, who is her full sister.
Malos as a young horse was obviously not impressing anyone at Godolphin as Erato
was sold at the 2017 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $120,000 to
Australian Bloodstock when in foal to Helmet.
Fast forward to the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale again and Erato
was back in the ring some two years later, but this time it was a bit different
as her second foal is Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Lyre, a full
sister to Malos being by Lonhro.
Offered in foal to Russian Revolution, Erato made $1,750,000 when bought by Yu Long
Investments proving an outstanding short term investment for Australian
Bloodstock.
I guess the moral to the story is that full siblings can be very different and
just because a mating you really like does not produce a superstar the first
time around, does not mean it can't hit the mark in subsequent tries.