Lion roars home for epic Irish Champion Stakes win Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior have contested one of the keenest rivalries in racing over the past year, and the latest instalment certainly didn’t disappoint as Roaring Lion just proved the stronger close home in the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. The €1.25 million event is the highlight of Irish Champions Weekend, and the mile and a quarter Group 1 lived right up to its billing with a pulsating contest. Deauville set the pace with stable-companion Saxon Warrior tracking closely, and Ryan Moore sent the latter to the front early in the home straight. The 2000 Guineas winner, who also beat Roaring Lion in the Racing Post Trophy last October, looked a likely winner when going two lengths clear over a furlong out. However the patiently-ridden Roaring Lion was making headway all the time on the outer, and Oisin Murphy got a great response from the 8/11 favourite inside the final furlong leading close home to score by a neck. Deauville finished a further two and three quarter lengths away in third. Murphy, who only rode his first winner in Ireland earlier on the card aboard Limini, said “The race changed complexion about three times. Saxon Warrior got a great ride from Ryan and he got first run. “It was very tactical and John (Gosden, trainer) and I thought it might turn out that way. I just wanted to get into a nice rhythm, get him balanced and then see which is the better horse. I had to get him into top gear and he’s come home really well. “I don’t have much experience around Leopardstown and I’m learning on the job but I had the right horse. “It means the world to me. It’s one of my best days for sure and one I’ll not forget for a long time. It’s surreal.” Winning owner Sheikh Fahad said, “It’s very special to win our own race, and the race didn’t disappoint in terms of quality. They are two great three-year-olds who have been taking each other on since last year. “He’s trained by a master trainer in John Gosden and has been brought up slowly. Even the Derby was an education for him. “He’ll probably go for the Champion Stakes at Ascot next. We have made no decision yet about staying in training next year, and it is something I will have to talk over with my brothers.” Thaddeus Gosden, son of the winning trainer, said “Oisin gave him a great ride and had to come all the way around the field and do it the hard way. I couldn’t be happier with the horse. “He picked up incredibly well when Oisin gave him a couple of taps and showed that turn of foot he’s got. The horse and Oisin have gelled incredibly well together. “We’ll have to see how the ground turns up (at Ascot) for the Champion Stakes. The ground today really suits him. “Kieran O’Neill rides him at home every day and he’s done an incredible job as has everyone else at home.” Incidentally the private score between Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior is now 4-2, with the last four wins all going the way of Roaring Lion. Aidan O'Brien said of Saxon Warrior, “He ran very well. The plan was always to go back to a mile at Ascot after this and that's where he'll go everything being well.” (GC & AM)
