Roaring Lion to shuttle to Cambridge Stud in New Zealand

Roaring Lion will become the second European champion after Almanzor to shuttle to Cambridge Stud in New Zealand, which has acquired southern hemisphere breeding rights to the brilliant son of Kitten's Joy.

During a phenomenal three-year-old campaign, Roaring Lion won the Coral-Eclipse Stakes, Juddmonte International, Irish Champion Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, performances which earned him plaudits as the Cartier Horse of the Year in Europe last year.

Henry Plumptre, chief executive of Cambridge Stud, said: "To be able to secure two European champions in two years is extraordinary and very exciting for Cambridge and Australasian breeders.

"Roaring Lion is hugely sought after in his first season at stud in the UK, standing at £40,000, and European breeders have recognised his brilliance and he is over subscribed.

"His sire, Kitten's Joy, is the reigning champion sire in the USA and has been champion turf sire for the past six years. By El Prado, he has a similar profile to the champion Medaglia D'Oro, also by El Prado, who sired Vancouver, Astern and the recent New Zealand Derby winner Crown Prosecutor."

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Sheikh Fahad, chairman of Qatar Racing, explained why Cambridge Stud was chosen as the second home for Roaring Lion, who was also named the world champion three-year-old last year.

"Cambridge Stud appealed to us due to the combination of heritage and Brendan and Jo Lindsay's amazing commitment to the New Zealand thoroughbred industry," he said. "Their determination to secure our world champion was beyond admirable and we're committed to assisting them realise his potential worldwide.

"My brothers and I have enjoyed our greatest days on the racecourse courtesy of Roaring Lion. To own a horse like him is truly incredible and we believe he will prove a magnificent influence as a sire in both hemispheres."

Roaring Lion also enjoyed a stellar two-year-old campaign, winning three of his four starts including the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket. He also fought out a thrilling finish to the Racing Post Trophy (now the Vertem Futurity) when second to Saxon Warrior.

In a strong vote of support, David Redvers committed up to 20 mares on behalf of Sheikh Fahad to Roaring Lion in the southern hemisphere each year.

Brendan and Jo Lindsay, owners of Cambridge Stud, were present at Ascot to see Roaring Lion win his last Group 1 in Britain and were taken by his striking performance.

"We were there on Champions Day and his ability to drop back to a mile and still beat the best in Europe left us in no doubt that we had to secure him for New Zealand," said Brendan Lindsay.

"Jo and I would like to sincerely thank David Redvers and Sheikh Fahad for giving us the opportunity to bring a horse of his calibre to Cambridge Stud."

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