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.
“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.”
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.
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.
