Roaring Lion a timely reminder of Keeneland September's global appeal

On the day that Book 2 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale started, the auction's international significance was showcased by star graduate Roaring Lion as he landed the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The son of Kitten's Joy – purchased by David Redvers on behalf of Qatar Racing for $160,000 at the world's largest yearling sale in Kentucky in 2016 – made it three Group 1 victories in a row having taken the Eclipse and Juddmonte International on his past two starts.

Roaring Lion's catalogue page at Keeneland

View result and watch race replay

The John Gosden-trained colt came with a determined late run to mow down old adversary Saxon Warrior with Deauville back in third.

He has now won seven of his 11 starts and accrued prize-money in excess of £2 million, making him look a bargain even with his six-figure price-tag.

Roaring Lion is a fine advertisement for another Kentucky institution as one of 12 Group/Grade 1 winners by regular champion North American turf sire Kitten's Joy, a son of El Prado who moved from his longtime home of Ramsey Farm to Hill 'n' Dale Farms this year, when he stood at a fee of $60,000.

Kitten's Joy's other leading performers include Breeders' Cup winners Bobby's Kitten – who stands at Lanwades Stud in Newmarket – Oscar Performance and Stephanie's Kitten, while he already has a European celebrity on his record in the shape of Eclipse and Dubai Sheema Classic hero Hawkbill.

Roaring Lion was bred by Ranjan Racing out of the Grade 1-placed Street Sense mare Vionnet, a half-sister to Graded winners Moulin De Mougin and Schiaparelli.

He looks poised to join an increasingly powerful band of stallions owned and managed by Qatar Racing, with Australian champion first-season sire Zoustar and Sussex Stakes scorer Lightning Spear also queuing up to stand at the operation's headquarters at Tweenhills in Gloucestershire.

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