LION SINKS RIVAL FOR GLORY
ROARING LION handed Oisin Murphy the first domestic Group 1 success of his promising career with a courageous neck victory over old rival Saxon Warrior in the Coral-eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park.
But the 22-year-old Irishman endured 15 nervous minutes before a stewards’ inquiry – into interference in the closing stages – rubber-stamped the result.
Murphy, Cork-born but Co Wexford-raised – and signed up by Roaring Lion’s owners, Qatar Racing, in 2016 has top-level prizes in France, Canada and Dubai on his CV, but had found a Group 1 in Britain elusive.
“Relief!” said Murphy, when asked to sum up his emotions.
“It has taken me six years, but I I knew I was on the best horse in the race today – I just had to get it right.
“This is a very talented colt and this is the top. I’m absolutely thrilled.”
The win took Roaring Lion to two apiece in his battle with last Saturday’s Irish Derby third Saxon Warrior – the pair had finished third and fourth behind late scratching Masar in the Derby at Epsom last month.
John Gosden, adamant that the son of American stallion Kitten’s Joy needed to come back to 10 furlongs to realise his potential, said: “He didn’t stay at Epsom – it’s like if you try to run a marathon and you’re really a 1,000-metre runner.
“He’s from a very fast female line. They are all a mile and one-eighth horses in America and he’s a mile-and-a-quarter horse. “Now he’ll freshen up and go to York for the Juddmonte International, on August 22. I’m sure we’ll see the second there, and with luck we’ll see Masar there. That will be some race.”
WILLIE CARSON paid tribute to “a gentleman” after the death, at the age of 78, of dual Derby-winning trainer John Dunlop was announced yesterday.