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.

Advertisement

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.”

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
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...
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.
This Cliff's Edge Filly is Going Places
As tough and courageous as they come on the racetrack, Cliff’s Edge is making his mark at stud despite being largely overlooked by breeders.
Impressive Displays Round Out Breeze Ups for 2024
Day Two of NZB’s 2024 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 178 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse with an average time of 10.72 reached.
Juvenile and Spring Trial Watch - Randwick
Tuesday barrier trials at Randwick saw 14 heats including two for juveniles while an expensive colt was trying to get his spring back on track.
Kiwi Stayers Primed for Moonee Valley Cup
Friday's Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) is looming as a crucial guide to New Zealand's chances of Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) success.
Pride of Jenni Refreshed Ahead of Cox Plate
Superstar Trelawney Stud-bred mare Pride Of Jenni out ran all of her rivals in her last attempt over 2000m, and she will be out to do that on the biggest stage in Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley.
Yulong Purchase $700,000 Justify Colt at MM Horses in Training
Youngsters by international sire sensation Justify stole the show at the 2024 Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale at the Gold Coast today.
Two Justify's Highlight MM Horses In Training Sale
The two Justify entrants at the Magic Millions Gold Horses In Training Sale on Tuesday have produced excellent results, particularly for their pinhooking vendors.
New Juvenile Stakes-Winner for Wootton Bassett
Two year-olds by Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) have been a phenomenon in Europe this year and he added another new stakes-winner to the tally in Ireland overnight where Whirl captured the Group III Staffordstown Stakes (1m) at The Curragh.
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.