breednet.com.au

Lion's Roar all Courage in Wyong Cup

Mark Smith - Friday September 6

Lion’s Roar has been a dream horse for his connections.

After breaking his maiden at Kembla Grange almost four years to the day, the 7-year-old son of Contributer added the $250,000 Listed Wyong Cup (2100m) to triumphs in the Group 1 ATC Royal Randwick Guineas and Group III ATC Summer Cup.

Ridden by Jason Collett for John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, Lion’s Roar tracked the leader Camaguey before hitting the front a long way out. He bravely repelled every challenge under his top weight to defeat the veteran Luncies (Iffraaj) by a length, with the Victoria Derby winner Manzoice (Almanzor) back in third.

The first winner and first Group 1 winner for his Mapperley Stud-based sire, Lion’s Roar advances his record to six wins, six seconds, and four thirds from 36 starts with earnings of $2,306,445.

“He has been a tremendous horse for Champion Thoroughbreds and our stable,” O’Shea said.

“He gets into the Big Dance, so we look forward to getting him there on Melbourne Cup Day.

“Jason is riding in sensational form. He is riding confidently, and we are lucky to be associated with him.

Lion's Roar (image Steve Hart)

“Where do we find more like this horse? He won at two and is now seven and has won $2.4million, giving his owners a great ride, and it’s not finished left.”

Advertisement

Lion’s Roar was bred by Peter Gillespie and offered by Wellfield Lodge at Karaka in 2019. John O’Shea and Jason Abrahams of Champion Thoroughbreds purchased him for $65,000.

The runner-up in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes and third in the Group 1 ATC Australian Derby, Lion’s Roar is the best of three winners from four to race for the talented Black Minnaloushe mare Minnaleo.

Lion's Roar a $65,000 Karaka Book 2 yearling

A 4-time winner, Minnaleo is a half-sister to Vaquera, a daughter of High Chaparral (IRE) who won the Group III NJC JC Tibbie Stakes and placed in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks.

Raptors Thoroughbreds shelled out $180,000 for a sister to Lion’s Roar at Karaka in January,

O’Shea trained Contributor (IRE) when head of the Godolphin operation. The top-class son of High Chaparral won the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m).

Contributer (IRE) stands for $18,000 this season at Mapperley Stud.

Visit the profile page for Contributer

Contributer in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - Wyong Leagues Group Wyong Cup LR 2100m

Wyong Track: Good(4) Time: 2:08.46
1
Lion's Roar
- 7g Contributer (IRE) x Minnaleo (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton Rdr: J R Collett 59
2
0.6
Luncies
- 8g Iffraaj (GB) x Under The Rainbow (GB) (Fantastic Light (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J Parr 58.5
3
1.3
Manzoice
- 5g Almanzor (FR) x Choice (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tyler Schiller 56
4
1.8
Camaguey
- 6g Teofilo (IRE) x Maternal (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Ms K Waugh Rdr: J Ford 54
5
2.2
Etna Rosso
- 5g Decorated Knight (GB) x Kirouna (FR) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Mc Evoy 54
6
4.2
Medatsu
- 4g Staphanos (JPN) x Christine Ann (NZ) (Mastercraftsman (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
7
4.4
Age Of Sail
- 6g Frankel (GB) x Concordia (GB) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 54
8
4.7
Olympic Gaze
- 7g Olympic Glory (IRE) x Wingstack (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: P M Perry Rdr: Braith Nock 54
More Reading...
Saving Baby Ryan
An orphaned foal bred in Victoria faced an uphill battle when he arrived at Larneuk Stud in the spring of 2021 and four years on he is now a winner!
Less Spring 2YO Races? Chicken or Egg
On Wednesday we ran a story which has been very well read highlighting the decline in two-year-olds seen during the spring racing which got us to wondering what’s driving it – lack of races or lack of horses?
Quality Tasmanian Yearling Catalogue Now Online
The auction renowned for producing world class racehorses at value prices is ready to do it all again following today's online release of the 2026 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale catalogue.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 WATC Northerly Stakes
With the end of 2025 fast approaching it’s time to turn our attention to the final G1 race of the Australian racing year, and the last of the “big three” at the Ascot Pinnacles carnival - so who can win? 
Waitak Chasing Another G1
Waitak’s class and versatility will stand him in good stead at Trentham where he chases a fourth top-flight title.
One to Watch – Geelong
Yulong purchased five colts from Inglis Classic at the start of the year and one of them was a half-brother to a filly called La Dorada, who had just won the Karaka Million and then went on Group I success later in the season.
From Kingston Town to Northerly - A Race Named for Champions
With the end of 2025 fast approaching it’s time to turn our attention to the final G1 race of the Australian racing year, and the last of the “big three” at the Ascot Pinnacles carnival - It is of course, the $1.5 million Northerly Stakes run over 1800m at WFA, and this year marks its 50th running.
Group 1 Breakthrough for Contributer's Lion's Roar
When Lion's Roar broke his maiden at his career debut over 1600m at Kembla Grange in September, he became the first winner for his sire Contributer – four runs later, he becomes his first Group 1 winner.  
Sires With Winners - Thursday December 4
Here is the full list of 34 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
D’Argento Filly Wins $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus
Stakes-placed at two and fourth in the Group II ATC Percy Sykes Stakes to Tempted, it seems amazing that D’Argento filly Sequista was not a winner until Thursday, but she picked a good day to break the ice claiming a $100,000 Inglis Xtra bonus for her Gosford victory.