Murphy Roaring home for glory!

JOckEy Oisin Murphy wants to cap a memorable year by making his first success in his native Ireland a Group One win on Roaring Lion in Saturday’s Irish champion Stakes.

killarney native Murphy, nephew of cheltenham Gold cup and Grand Nationalwinning jockey Jim culloty, cut his teeth on Ireland’s pony-racing circuit, but his first rides as an apprentice jockey came after joining British trainer Andrew Balding.

Murphy has only had six rides in his homeland, but his British career has really taken off with 153 winners this year — more than any other jockey.

At this stage last season, Murphy, 23, was still awaiting his first Group One win. He now has eight after The Tin Man won last Saturday’s Haydock Sprint cup.

Six have come in 2018 with two supplied by John Gosdentrained Roaring Lion.

After his third in the mileand-a-half Derby, the grey colt has won the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown and york’s International Stakes, both run over two furlongs shorter.

Murphy said: ‘After the Derby we thought 10 furlongs was his distance and he has gone from strength to strength. We have found his correct trip. He has a fantastic temperament. I still had loads of horse at the line at york. I couldn’t pull him up. He has an unbelievable amount of ability. I have never ridden a winner in Ireland. I don’t get many opportunities. It would be very special, my mum and dad will be there and a lot of my friends and family.’

Roaring Lion’s opponents at Leopardstown on Saturday will include Aidan O’Brien’s Saxon Warrior, the colt who finished in front of him in last season’s Racing Post Trophy and the 2,000 Guineas in May. But Roaring Lion finished ahead of Saxon Warrior in their next three clashes. The Irish champion Stakes is one of eight Group One races being staged this weekend across the Irish champions weekend, Doncaster’s St Leger card on Saturday and Sunday’s Arc trials meeting at Longchamp.

The St Leger has been given a boost after Gosden said Lah Ti Dar, the filly owned by Lord Lloyd-Webber, will run in the final classic of the season rather than head to Sunday’s Prix Vermeille at Longchamp. Frankie Dettori’s unbeaten mount is a 15-8 shot to become a rare filly winner of the Leger.

Day one of Doncaster’s Leger meeting saw charlie Hillstrained khaadem easily win the British Stallions Stud Stakes by a length-and-aquarter from Swissterious.

The son of Dark Angel is likely to have his next run in the Group One Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on September 29.