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.

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
NZB Karaka Book 2 $65,000
Seller: Wellfield Lodge
Buyer: Champion Thoroughbreds
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
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $340,000
Seller: Bhima Thoroughbreds, Scone, NSW
Buyer: Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock
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...
$1.2 Million for SA Derby Winner Coco Sun
Yulong have an insatiable appetite for classic winning fillies and they snapped up Group I SAJC South Australian Derby winner Coco Sun at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale for $1.2million.
One to Watch – Wyong
Corumbene Stud have bred a lot of good horses including a couple of Golden Slipper winners in Sebring and Overreach, who is the dam of an eye-catching maiden winner at Wyong on Thursday.
$2.8million for Estriella
Tom Magnier loves his I Am Invincible mares and having earlier tonight secured Tiz Invincible for $2.8million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, he paid the same amount for her Group II winning stablemate Estriella, who is by the same sire.
Rich Hill Stud Find Early Value at Inglis Chairman’s
With keen competition expected on the big lots later tonight at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, New Zealand based Rich Hill Stud struck early in the evening and found some serious value purchasing Pierro stakes-winner Poifect for just $250,000.
White Robe Lodge Announce Fees
Iconic Southern nursery White Robe Lodge has kept things simple for breeders this season with their stallion roster of three – Alflaila, Ancient Spirit and Ghibellines – all to stand at $7,000+GST.
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.  
Bella Nipotina Sells for $4.2million
The highest stake earning mare ever in Australia with the exception of Winx, Everest queen Bella Nipotina was always expected to set the sale ring alight at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on Thursday night.
Yarraman Sell $1.2million Mare in Foal to I Am Invincible
Elite South African race mares have made quite an impact in Australia, notably for producing current superstar 3YO filly Autumn Glow and a mare with the right profile in Under Your Spell (SAfr) hit the target at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale for Yarraman Park when selling for $1.2million.
Newgate Turn a Quick Profit with $1million for Eagle Nest
Newgate Bloodstock made a savvy investment at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale last year paying $300,000 for stakes-placed Shalaa (IRE) mare Eagle Nest and 12 months on they were rewarded when selling her for $1million.
Ciaron Maher a $2million Buyer and $2million Seller
In quick succession at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, champion trainer Ciaron Maher was in the limelight as a buyer and seller with I Am Invincible mare Tiz Invincible departing his stable to the tune of $2.8million, while a few lots later he was a purchaser signing for Too Darn Lizzie at $2.4million.