Top German racehorse Lomitas dies

By Windsor Lass

Gestut Fhrhof’s top racehorse and stallion, Lomitas, has died due to poor health. The son of Niniski was 22.

Sheikh Mohammed acquired a share in Lomitas, standing at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket for five seasons, between 2002 and 2006.

Lomitas returned to F‰hrhof, but after suffering declining fertility, he covered small, private books of mares.

Lomitas, born in Northmore Stud in Newmarket, was bred by Fhrhof out of Surumu’s champion juvenile daughter La Colorada, from the illustrious German ‘L’ family of Lirung and Lagunas, which has gone on to also supply Group One winners Lord of England, Lady Marian and Lavirco.

Lomitas’s profile is best-seller material. He had to overcome a phobia of starting stalls on his way to stardom. Germany’s champion juvenile colt of 1990, he was hot favourite for the 2,000 Guineas.

But, at Cologne he refused to enter the gates, injuring other horses and humans, throwing himself down during a protracted effort from handlers to get him loaded.

His obstinacy earned him a ban from racing. Monty Roberts had to exorcise the horse’s demons before he ventured into the gates again.