Group 3 winner Honorius has been retired to stand at Larneuk Stud in Victoria.

A son of Aquis Farm sire Holy Roman Emperor, he was initially trained by David Payne to win 2yo races at Canterbury (1550m) and Rosehill (1800m) before returning as a spring 3yo to claim the G3 Craven Plate (2000m) at Randwick.

Overall, Honorius raced 45 times over six seasons earning $565,750. He was runner-up at Group 3 level in the Gloaming Stakes, Norman Robinson Stakes, Frank Packer Plate & Kingston Town Stakes and was last seen tailed off at Flemington in December 2016.

The Larneuk newcomer is a half-brother to South African Horse Of The Year Igugu (Aus). Their dam Zarinia (Ire) was bred by The Aga Khan from the family of G2 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Zerpour.

Honorius is owned by Knightsbridge Bloodstock, a racing and breeding enterprise headed up by Issaree Suwunnavid with bases in Asia, Kentucky and the Middle East.

“We are looking forward to his progeny taking his legacy out to the world,” Suwunnavid said. “With the recent success of Beauty Only (Holy Roman Emperor) in Hong Kong (G1 Longines Mile), we are sure Honorius will produce a good many winners in Hong Kong.”

Knightsbridge Bloodstock indicated he will also cover a northern hemisphere book in 2018.

Honorius joins a Larneuk Stud line-up comprising Wolf Cry (Street Cry), Cluster (Fastnet Rock), Ilovethiscity (Magic Albert) & O’Lonhro (Lonhro).

HONORIOUS