Lonhro to Cover Melbourne Cup Legend Makybe Diva

July 30, 2010

Lonhro to Cover Melbourne Cup Legend Makybe Diva

A mating match made in heaven will see iconic, three-time Melbourne Cup winning mare Makybe Diva be covered by the former racing great turned leading sire Lonhro.

Rising 12 year old Desert King mare Makybe Diva become the first horse in history to secure three successive Melbourne Cup victories during her golden reign in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Makybe Diva was retired after her impeccable 2005 spring racing campaign that also included victories in the Cox Plate and the Turnbull Stakes in Melbourne.

With a stunning record that saw her amass over $14.5 million in prizemoney, the British-bred Makybe Diva is still considered the best ever Australian race mare.

Lonhro, a son of boom Kiwi sire Octagonal, was another champion racehorse boasting an impressive record.

Having earned over $5.7 million in career prizemoney, Lonhro was retired to stud back in 2004 following multiple Group 1 victories including the George Ryder Stakes.

While Lonhro and Makybe Diva are set to get up close and personal now, during their racing careers they only came head-to-head on the track once.

They met in the 2004 Australian Cup, won by Lonhro ahead of a sixth-placed Makybe Diva.

Declared by Darley Stud, where Lonhro resides, Australian thoroughbred racing fans, punters and enthusiasts will be over the moon with this spring match.

Makybe Diva is currently pregnant with her fourth foal, to be born next month.

She has previously foaled two colts and a filly.

Her colt bred from Irish Derby winner Galileo in 2007, named Rockstardom, sold as a yearling for a massive $1.5 million.

Rockstardom’s trainer Danny O’Brien has the youngster preparing for their race debut.

What will become of this match is sure to be another turf star and possibly a Melbourne Cup winner of the future and one can only guess what the foal will sell for.

Experts have said the colt or filly could fetch up to $5 million as a yearling and become the most expensive Southern Hemisphere-bred yearling in history.

This year’s Melbourne Cup marks the celebrated 150th running of the testing handicap and with nominations closing next Tuesday, there is plenty to get excited about.

With the announcement of the 2010 Melbourne Cup nominations, which will be published here at Races.com.au, [sportsbet] will also open up their Cup betting markets.

So sign up at [sportsbet] today and get ready to make your selections on the $6 million Melbourne Cup to be run at Flemington on Tuesday November 2.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off