O'Shea Chasing G1 Success with Kiwi Breds

Media Release - Thursday October 8

When John O'Shea went to the Karaka yearling sales 18 months ago intent on buying the progeny of Group One winner Contributer, one colt stood out.

The Randwick horseman trained Contributer during his time at the helm of Godolphin and when he saw Lion's Roar, he did a double take.

Lion's Roar will contest the G1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) on Saturday. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au

"He looks exactly the same. He is a deep bay, he's got a big, deep girth and he's got a bit of character about him," O'Shea said, having purchased the colt from the draft of Bill Gleeson’s Wellfield Lodge for $65,000.

"He is just a replica of his father."

Based at Simms Davison’s Mapperley Stud, Contributer's crowning glory was his 2015 Group One Ranvet Stakes win over 2000m.

At Randwick on Saturday, Lion's Roar will be chasing an elite victory of his own over the same distance in the Spring Champion Stakes.

Of the many things O'Shea learned during his Godolphin tenure, one was the significance of having history with a horse's family.

The majority of Sheikh Mohammed's gallopers are from stallions and dams who have come through the Godolphin system and many trace back generations.

"I think that's one of the advantages Godolphin has because they've got all those families they know and they've had them for years," O'Shea said.

"When you've trained mum or dad it's a big help."

O'Shea is hoping that will be the case with Lion's Roar, who backs up from a strong middle-distance win at Newcastle last Saturday.

Advertisement

He was scratched from the Gloaming Stakes a week earlier after he had a reaction which required treatment.

O'Shea said the hiccup has had no bearing on the three-year-old's Spring Champion preparation and he is surprised by his $18 quote.

"It's hard to work out because the other day he was going to start 7-2 behind Love Tap in the Gloaming and he's subsequently come out and won when he was $1.70, so there you go," O'Shea said.

"We were happy enough with what he did and he's improved with the run so he's going to Saturday a fit racehorse."

O'Shea is also happy stablemate Socrates is going the right way after breaking his maiden over 1600m at Kembla Grange last start.

By noted sire of stayers Tavistock out of an O'Reilly mare, he is bred to relish the Spring Champion distance.

"He is raw but if ever there is a horse with the pedigree to win a Spring Champion it's this horse," O'Shea said.

"He's got a magnificent pedigree and the first time we asked a question of him, which was at Kembla, he responded.

"They're both really nice horses. Their main targets since early in the year was to run well in the Spring Champion so we're really happy with where they have ended up." – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
Spring Trial Watch – Everest Contenders on Show
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured a couple of key Everest contenders with Private Harry winning easily over speedy 3YO North England, while Lady Shenandoah was under a tight grip to finish third in a later heat.
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
Damask Rose Looking to Kickstart Te Akau Melbourne Spring
Te Akau Racing are building a strong record in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), and they will look to continue that at Caulfield on Saturday when Damask Rose takes her place in this year’s edition.
Tara Talks Racing – Stallion Parades, Old Legends and a Weekend Tip
We’re back in podcast land as the spring unfolds with plenty to talk about following our recent run of visits to the stallion parades, so what stallions did we like?
Stars on Show at Caulfield Spring Opener
The 2025 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival officially bursts out of the gates this Saturday with the Stow Storage Caulfield Spring Opener, headlined by the first Group 1 of the season, the $750,000 Stow Storage Memsie Stakes.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Via Sistina Honoured at NSW Horse of the Year
One of the greatest seasons of all time has secured Via Sistina the TAB NSW Champion Horse of the Year award. The Chris Waller-trained mare was recognised at Racing’s Night of Champions for her outstanding performance in 2024/2025 which included equalling Winx’s record of seven Group 1s in a single season.