German Champion sire Lomitas, whose South African-based son Silvano is a major sire of Gr1 winners, was put down last week following a colic operation.
Bred and raced by the Jacobs family, Lomitas was a son of Nijinsky stallion Niniski, and voted Germany’s Horse of the Year as 3yo, rated Timeform 129. He was regarded as the third best horse in Europe, behind Arc-winner Suave Dancer and Epsom Derby winner Generous.
Lomitas’ life story reads like a Dick Francis novel, featuring horse whisperer Monty Roberts to get the reluctant colt to the races, and attempts to blackmail the owner with threats to poison the champion – a threat which was ultimately carried out. Following the poisoning Lomitas was sent, in deepest secrecy and as an anonymous visitor, to Lester Piggott’s yard in the UK. He continued his career in the US, but never regained his brilliance.
Retired to stud in 1988, Lomitas was champion freshman sire. His very first crop included Champion racehorses Silvano, Belenus and Sumitas – who won the Arlington Million, German Derby and German 2000 Guineas between them. Lomitas earned his first German sire title three years later. Silvano is his best son, both on the track where he rated Timeform 126, and in the breeding shed. His daughter Shalanya is a highclass Gr1 performer in France in 2010.
Following his success as a stallion in Germany, Lomitas moved to Darley’s Dalham Stud in the UK, but never quite got the support anticipated. He returned to Germany at age 18. In his later years the champion suffered several bouts of colic, and declining fertility. He had been restricted to Fährhof-owned mares since 2009.
