Roaring Lion Comes of Age in Juddmonte International

Who needs Cracksman and Enable when Roaring Lion comes to town?

Bred in Kentucky by Ran Jan Racing, the son of Kitten's Joy  was once an immature menace who ducked and dived his way to the winning post. The playful cub has now made way for a fierce hunter on the group 1 prowl, and with his most authoritative and professional performance yet, the muscular grey had too much brawn for a Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) field that did not lack for quality.

With all but one of the eight-strong field having already conquered racing's highest rank, this had all the makings of a vintage group 1. And, while it did not disappoint, it was hard to predict Roaring Lion's superiority, traveling effortlessly to the lead under Oisin Murphy before gunning to a 3 1/4-length victory over the second-highest-rated horse on the planet, Poet's Word.

With Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1)-winning stablemate Enable on the sidelines and the Knavesmire anything but the mire Cracksman adores, Roaring Lion emerged from two towering shadows at John Gosden's star-studded Newmarket yard, and after following up success in the Coral Eclipse (G1) at Sandown is flat racing's new middle-distance pin-up.

"He'd been training exceptionally well, and we made no secret," said Gosden, who enjoyed what he saw as much as everyone else. "Kieran O'Neill is the man who needs a lot of congratulations here, along with Ben, who looks after him—they've done a wonderful job with him."

Compromising his chances of victory in last season's Racing Post Trophy Stakes (G1) with his wayward antics, Roaring Lion started the season moderately in the Bet365 Craven Stakes (G3). But with a little help from an Indian summer, he has blossomed.

Gosden added: "I had a difficult spring with him. It was horrible, cold, and wet, and he wasn't enjoying it, but he's just got better and better, and this wasn't a fluke. He threw away the Racing Post Trophy and wasn't really with me at the time of the Craven and the (QIPCO Two Thousand) Guineas (G1), but my God, the Guineas put him right.

"He was the last one off the bridle in the (Investec) Derby (G1) but plainly didn't stay, but he's won an Eclipse and now the Juddmonte. He's got a massive middle and has got bigger and stronger as the year has gone on. The curve was upward all the way, and this is a much better horse than the one who ran at Sandown. I was expecting a big performance, and we got one."

While the winner was always in clear water, Poet's Word had to be driven early in the straight and switched to his left lead to escape an uncomfortable pocket. While that was far from ideal, it would be far-fetched to call him an unlucky loser, with Roaring Lion last off the bridle and dominant at the finish.

The Champion Stakes in both Ireland and Britain are on the radar next, but Gosden was looking even further into the future, believing he can conquer even greater heights if he remains in training at 4 and beyond.     

"He's a big-framed horse and only a 3-year-old, so I see no reason that through the autumn and next year he can't get better," he said. "The truth is they reach their absolute zenith at 5 if you give them the time."

How long he stays in training will ultimately rest with owner Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, who described his latest group 1 triumph—the third of the season for Qatar Racing—as the highlight of his involvement in racing.

"Dunaden winning the Melbourne Cup (G1) was high on my list, but this one might have gone and eclipsed that," said Sheikh Fahad. "To see what we've seen at home on a racetrack and beat all these group 1 winners in that way was very impressive.

"John Gosden has always had faith in this horse, and we all knew the days were going to come for this horse, and he showed it in trumps."

Asked if Roaring Lion will be back next season, Sheikh Fahad added: "Probably the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (G1) will be next, but it's too early to say about next year at this stage."  

If Gosden gets his way, Roaring Lion will still be around next year and perhaps even the one after that, too. Wouldn't that be something to behold?