Murphy counting on 'world-class' Roaring Lion for a first Group 1 on home soil

Oisin Murphy: 'The Irish Champion Stakes is one of the highest-rated races in Europe and one I’d be desperate to win'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Qipco Irish Champion Stakes hotpot Roaring Lion was on Monday labelled world-class by jockey-of-the-moment Oisin Murphy, who is desperate to ride his first Group 1 winner on home turf in the feature race of Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The County Kerry native has ridden his eight top-level winners across Canada, France, Germany, the UAE and Britain, the latest coming on Saturday at Haydock, where he won the Sprint Cup on The Tin Man.

But Murphy, 23, admits winning the Irish Champions Stakes on general 11-10 favourite Roaring Lion would be made extra special by the fact his family will be there on the day.

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Brian SheerinReporter

Published on 10 September 2018inNews

Last updated 19:28, 10 September 2018

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