The Last Lion and Fanning roar to first Group 1 success

Joe Fanning and The Last Lion were shock winners of the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes

The Last Lion delivered a long overdue first Group 1 success for one of the grizzlier beasts of the weighing room when claiming the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes for Joe Fanning on his 46th birthday.

On one of the few big occasions when he has not had to stand aside for another rider, Fanning made his opportunity count as he steered 25-1 chance The Last Lion to a shock win over Godolphin hotpot Blue Point.

Fanning's first winner was in a Sedgefield handicap hurdle in 1989 for his first boss Tommy Fairhurst, but since joining Johnston on the Flat he has ridden more than 2,000 winners at all bar the highest level.

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Jon Lees

Published on 24 September 2016inReports

Last updated 17:59, 24 September 2016

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