Saxon Warrior to Battle Old Foe Roaring Lion

A season that started so impressively with victory in the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) has left Saxon Warrior with plenty to prove as he clashes once more with Roaring Lion in the Sept. 15 QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (G1).

Saxon Warrior and Roaring Lion will be meeting for the fourth time this year, and, aside from the Guineas, the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt has finished behind the British raider in the group 1 Investec Derby, Coral Eclipse, and Juddmonte International Stakes.

O'Brien has landed the Leopardstown showpiece on seven occasions, and So You Think, his most recent winner in 2011, was the last Irish-trained success.

Speaking Friday, O'Brien said: "Saxon Warrior was a sick horse after the Eclipse and was just ready to start back when he went to York. We've been happy with him since the Juddmonte International, and we think he has come forward well. He's in good form."

Stablemates joining Ryan Moore's mount in the lineup are Rhododendron, a group 1 winner at 2, 3, and 4; Deauville; and Athena. Deauville and Athena achieved top-level success in the US.

"Rhododendron was going very well at Deauville last time when she was struck into, stumbled, and almost fell turning into the straight. We're happy with her and hoping for a good run," O'Brien said. "Deauville is a solid horse who always runs his race, and Athena is in good shape. She's wearing a hood to help her relax, and we're very happy with her."

Verbal Dexterity, winner of the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1) a year ago, represents Jim Bolger. He finished fourth in the Manguard Plus Royal Whip Stakes (G3) at the Curragh last month in his only start this season.

The year started with the Lion making barely a timid yelp, let alone a roar. Those days have been consigned firmly to the past, with Roaring Lion heading into his latest group 1 assignment as clear favorite and off the back of a magnificent triumph.

A near 10-length Bet365 Craven Stakes (G3) defeat behind Masar hardly signaled that Roaring Lion would emerge as one of the stars of the season. However, a true star he has become—and so has his jockey.

For his principal employer, Qatar Racing, Oisin Murphy has won the Coral Eclipse and Juddmonte International aboard Roaring Lion, plus the Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) on Lightning Spear, and he added to his top-flight haul last Saturday when he landed the 32red Sprint Cup (G1) with The Tin Man.

Murphy tackles the Irish Champion Stakes in sensational form and is thrilled to be associated with the John Gosden-trained colt who thrashed King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) winner Poet's Word by 3 1/4 lengths at York, where Roaring Lion's old rival Saxon Warrior was soundly beaten in fourth.

"I'm excited and can't wait to get on him," Murphy said. "He really took off when I pressed the button at York, and he concentrated on the job. He was also much further in front of Saxon Warrior than he had been at Sandown. I thought he beat a world-class field and won a race that looked very strong on paper."

Murphy added: "All group 1 races are tactical, as they tend not to get big fields. Ballydoyle has four runners in the race, Study of Man is no slouch, and Addeybb ran to a Racing Post Rating of 121 earlier in the year, so if he gets his conditions, he could have a big say.

"I'll have a good think about it and speak to John in the morning, but this is definitely a race that is going to take some winning."

Some horses race well fresh, while others need a run in their legs before really hitting top gear, and scrutiny of his career record suggests Study of Man belongs in the second category.

Having appeared rusty on his comeback over an inadequate trip at ParisLongchamp in April, the Niarchos family’s homebred son of Deep Impact looked to be one of the most exciting colts in Europe when he bounded clear of his rivals in the Prix Greffulhe (G2) at Saint-Cloud in May. 

After much deliberation between potential classic targets, Study of Man justified the choice of Chantilly over Epsom with a hard-fought success in the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (G1).

Following a customary French summer break, he once again looked somewhat underdone when he finished third to Knight To Behold in the group 2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano Haras du Logis Saint-Germain (G2) last month, a performance that did nothing to dent the confidence of trainer Pascal Bary or jockey Stephane Pasquier in his ability, while reports of his homework since Deauville have been extremely encouraging.

“He's very well and is back to the form he showed in the first half of the season,” Bary said. “I have a lot of confidence in my horse. It's a very good field, but I think he's up to this level.”

Study of Man is yet to face older rivals and thus has not had the chance to post the kind of elevated ratings achieved by Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior, which leaves the hope that Alpha Centauri might not be the only star to carry the famous Niarchos silks with distinction at Leopardstown.