Murphy is hopeful that Lion can roar atL eopardstown
SOME jockeys are synonymous with certain horses – like Ruby Walsh and Kauto Star – and Oisín Murphy has forged a relationship with John Gosden’s Roaring Lion which has seen him catapulted into racing’s headlines.
The Kerry jockey, retained jockey for owners Qatar Racing, has enjoyed a fruitful relationship with the brilliant three-year-old grey who helped secure his first Group One success in the Eclipse at Sandown last month.
Murphy was again in the saddle when the son of Kitten’s Joy took the Group One Juddmonte International at York last week and the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend (September 15) could be next on his radar.
The prospect of returning home to ride in “one of the major championship races in Europe” at a track he knows well and with the horse which has propelled him to stardom is one that excites the 22-year-old.
“It’s one of the major championship races in Europe and it’s had some unbelievable winners the past few years and Roaring Lion could go for a race like that (he is currently chalked up the 11/8 favourite),” Murphy said.
“He’s a good horse, any jockey would make an effort to get on with him and appreciate the horse. I obviously hold him very close to my heart, he’s really helped my career and hopefully he stays healthy.
“I know Leopardstown pretty well, I used to go there as a child for the Christmas National Hunt meeting and with Qipco sponsoring the race, it’s obviously a big possibility. If he went there, I’d be very excited.”
Should he take his place, Roaring Lion will likely clash once again with Aidan O’Brien’s Saxon Warrior, who he edged by a neck at Sandown before dishing out a comprehensive beating on the Knavesmire.
Eyes turn to Tipperary this evening, however, as a quality Flat card is headed by an intriguing renewal of the Group Three Fairy Bridge Stakes (5.55).
PRIZE
With Roger Varian taking the €65,000 prize across the Irish Sea 12 months ago, it has again attracted some English raiders with Mick Channon sending over Dan’s Dream after a disappointing effort in the Group Two Hungerford Stakes while William Haggas saddles the consistent One Master.
The home challenge is a formidable one though and O’Brien’s I Can Fly – an impressive Listed winner at Killarney – and Could It Be Love hold strong claims.
The same can be said of Johnny Murtagh’s Lightening Quick, already a Group Three winner this season, but Dermot Weld may hold the key having excelled in this race in recent years bagging a hat-trick of wins from 2014 to 2016.
Declan McDonogh’s booking on Sorelle Delle Rose suggests she is the stable favourite but there may be more to come from the Leigh Roche-ridden
Yulong Gold Fairy. The Mount Nelson filly stuck to her task when taking a Listed prize at the Galway Festival earlier this month with four of today’s 12 opponents in behind and she can continue her rise through the grades.
The Listed Abergwaun Stakes (6.55) is another competitive affair for punters but Darren Bunyan’s Hit The Bid can score as he makes his Irish return.
Elsewhere, many of racing’s top stars including Ruby Walsh, Patrick Mullins, Billy Lee and Barry Geraghty will take part in Saturday’s Jog for Jockeys 5km at the Curragh Racecourse (5.15) where all funds raised will go to the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund.