Roaring Lion (horse) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roaring Lion |
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Roaring Lion at the 2018 Breeders' Cup
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| Sire | Kitten's Joy |
| Grandsire | El Prado |
| Dam | Vionnet |
| Damsire | Street Sense |
| Sex | Colt |
| Foaled | March 11, 2015 |
| Died | August 23, 2019 (aged 4) |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Grey |
| Breeder | RanJan Racing Inc |
| Owner | Qatar Racing |
| Trainer | John Gosden |
| Record | 13: 8-1-2 |
| Earnings | £2,723,865 |
| Major wins | |
| Royal Lodge Stakes (2017) Dante Stakes (2018) Eclipse Stakes (2018) International Stakes (2018) Irish Champion Stakes (2018) Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (2018) |
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| Awards | |
| Top-rated British 2-y-o Colt (2017) European Horse of the Year (2018) Cartier Champion Three-year-old Colt (2018) World's best three-year-old (2018) |
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Roaring Lion (born March 11, 2015 – died August 23, 2019) was a famous Thoroughbred racehorse. He was born in America but trained in Britain. In 2018, he was named the European Horse of the Year. This was after he won several big races. These included the Juddemonte International Stakes, Eclipse Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
He was considered the best two-year-old horse in Britain in 2017. That year, he won three races, including the Royal Lodge Stakes. He only lost one race, coming in second by a small margin in the Racing Post Trophy. In 2018, he continued his winning streak. He won the Dante Stakes, Eclipse Stakes, International Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. He also placed third in the Epsom Derby. Sadly, he passed away at the age of four due to colic.
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About Roaring Lion
Roaring Lion was a grey horse born in Kentucky, USA. He was bred by RanJan Racing Inc. When he was a young horse, called a yearling, he was sold for $160,000. He was bought by David Redvers, a horse agent.
Later, Qatar Racing became his owner. He was then sent to England to be trained by John Gosden. His training stable was in Newmarket, Suffolk. Most of his races were ridden by the jockey Oisin Murphy.
Roaring Lion's father was a famous horse named Kitten's Joy. His mother was a horse named Vionnet. She had won a few races in the United States.
Racing Highlights
2017: His First Races
Roaring Lion started his racing career on August 18, 2017. He ran in a race at Newmarket. He won "quite comfortably" by almost two lengths. Three weeks later, he won another race easily by six lengths. This race was on a special synthetic track at Kempton Park Racecourse.
His next big race was the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket. He was the second favorite to win. Roaring Lion took the lead and won by a short head. After this win, his jockey Oisin Murphy thought he had a very bright future.
His last race of 2017 was the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster Racecourse. He led the race in the final part. However, he was just beaten by a horse named Saxon Warrior right at the end. He came in second by a neck.
At the end of 2017, Roaring Lion was ranked as the third-best two-year-old horse in Europe.
2018: A Champion Season
Spring Races
Roaring Lion started 2018 in the Craven Stakes. He finished third in this race. Then, he ran in the famous 2000 Guineas and came in fifth.
On May 17, he ran in the Dante Stakes at York Racecourse. He was the favorite to win. Roaring Lion took the lead and won easily by four and a half lengths. His trainer, John Gosden, was very happy. He said Roaring Lion was "mentally in the zone" and expected a great performance.
Summer Victories
On June 3, 2018, Roaring Lion competed in the 239th Derby Stakes. This is a very important race. He finished third behind Masar and Dee Ex Bee. His trainer explained that the distance was a bit too long for him.
Next, he ran in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park Racecourse. This race was against older, more experienced horses. Roaring Lion battled hard with Saxon Warrior and won by a neck. The race stewards checked the result, but it stood. His jockey, Oisin Murphy, said he was on "the best horse in the race."
In August, Roaring Lion faced Saxon Warrior again in the International Stakes at York. This race also included other top horses. Roaring Lion took the lead and won by more than three lengths. His trainer said he was getting "better and better" and that his performance was not a "fluke."
Autumn Triumphs
On September 15, Roaring Lion ran in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown Racecourse. He was the favorite. He came from behind to catch Saxon Warrior in the final strides. He won by a neck in a thrilling finish. His jockey, Oisin Murphy, said he was on an "exceptional horse."
Roaring Lion's next race was the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on October 20. He was the favorite again. The ground was soft, which he didn't like much. But he still showed his class and won by a neck. His trainer said he "hated every second of running on that ground" but proved his courage. After this race, it was announced that he would retire to become a breeding horse.
For his very last race, Roaring Lion went to the United States. He ran in the Breeders' Cup Classic on a dirt track. He finished last in this race.
At the end of 2018, Roaring Lion received two big awards. He was named Champion Three-year-old Colt and European Horse of the Year. He was also rated as the best three-year-old horse in the world.
Life as a Breeding Horse
Roaring Lion started his new career as a stallion (a male horse used for breeding) in 2019. He was at Tweenhills Stud in Gloucestershire, England. His breeding fee was £40,000.
After breeding with many mares in Europe, he traveled to New Zealand. This was for the breeding season in the Southern Hemisphere. In August 2019, he became very sick with horse colic. He had two surgeries. Sadly, on August 23, he had another serious colic attack and passed away.
His Offspring
Roaring Lion didn't have many foals before he died. But one of his sons, Dubai Mile, has already won a big race.
| Born | Name | Sex | Major Wins |
| 2020 | Dubai Mile | c | Critérium de Saint-Cloud |
