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...
Vendors Count Down to Historic NZ National Yearling Sale
Some of the most respected names in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry will be out in force at Karaka over the next few days during the milestone 100th edition of the National Yearling Sale.
First Stakes Success For Spirit Of Boom Mare Liquor
The outsider of four runners in Friday night’s Listed GCTC Goldmarket (1100m) for Queensland’s Champion trainer Tony Gollan, 6yo Spirit Of Boom mare Liquor gave nothing else a chance, charging clear after leading throughout to record her first black type victory.
Bidding Open - Magic Millions Digital's Latest Line-Up Now Online
Buyers looking for a ready made racehorse and a star of the future will enjoy the opportunities on offer in the latest Magic Millions Digital (23-28 January) Sale which is now online with bidding open.
Kinnaird Looking to Extend Te Akau Dominance
The Karaka Millions twilight meeting is always a key focus for Te Akau Racing, and they are set to have another strong hand in this year’s edition.
Hedged Wins G2 Australia Stakes – Track Record
A stakes-winner at Sandown on Boxing Day and then down the track at his next start when unplaced, connections elected to ‘roll the dice’ on talented Capitalist sprinter Hedged and give him his shot in the $350,000 Group II MVRC Australia Stakes (1200m) and were well rewarded.
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.  
First Winner for Contributer
As the then head trainer for Godolphin, John O’Shea put the polish on the striking High Chaparral )IRE) entire Contributer (IRE) when he made a winning Australian debut in the 2014 Group III Coongy Handicap at Caulfield so it’s fitting that O’Shea should have the honour of training  Contributer’s first winner.
Lindsay Park Flying Ahead of Kiwi Target Races
First-time travellers Arkansaw Kid and Torture will fly the Lindsay Park flag at Ellerslie with a third member of the party to be on hand for the defence of a stable title early next month.
Justify Double At Canterbury – Relations to both sell at Inglis Easter
Favourite backers were cheering on Friday night at Canterbury when odds on chances Willingham and Just Maz took out races three and four with the promising pair of winners both 3yos by Coolmore’s Justify (USA).
I Am Invincible Half-Sister To G1 Winner Manaal Breaks Maiden
Fourth on debut back in August, Michael Freedman’s 3yo I Am Invincible filly Rajwa was required to fight late, but the half-sister to G1 winner Manaal (Tassort) had too much in hand, breaking her maiden at Canterbury on Friday night for breeder/owner Emirates Park.