By Sean Cronin
Roaring Lion (Kitten's Joy) became the latest European freshman sire off the mark when Lion of War (GB) notched a debut win in Saturday's British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Maiden S. over seven furlongs at Leicester.
1st-Leicester, £7,000, Mdn, 6-11, 2yo, 7fT, 1:23.36, g/f.
LION OF WAR (GB) (c, 2, Roaring Lion–Momentus {Ire} {SP-Eng}, by Montjeu {Ire}) raced off the pace in ninth through the early fractions of this debut. Tanking forward from halfway, the 7-2 chance seized control approaching the final furlong and was ridden out in the closing stages to defeat Zara's Return (GB) (Zarak {Fr}) by a comfortable 2 1/4 lengths, becoming the first winner from the lone crop of his freshman sire (by Kitten's Joy). “He was a monster compared to the rest of the field, he was professional to post and knew his job,” said rider Cieren Fallon. “I let him get into a rhythm and when I asked him for his effort he gave it to me. He's got a nice action and it was quick ground out there, but he wouldn't want it any quicker than it was today. It's a nice start and there's a lot more improvement there.” Lion of War is the latest of three foals and first scorer produced by Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial third Momentus (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), herself a half-sister to stakes-winning G2 Joel S. runner-up Sir John Lavery (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The April-foaled bay's second dam, G3 Denny Cordell Lavarack Fillies S. victrix Race For The Stars (Fusaichi Pegasus), is kin to four black-type performers headed by MG1SW sire Hawk Wing (Woodman). Sales history: 7,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £3,780.
1ST-TIME STARTER. O-Qatar Racing Ltd; B-Andrew Whitlock Racing Ltd (GB); T-Charlie & Mark Johnston.
A first winner for our World Champion Roaring Lion 🦁 as Lion Of War makes an impressive debut win for @Qatar_Racing and @Johnston_Racing
The 2yo colt was bred by Andrew Whitlock and bought by @dredvers for just 7,000gns as a yearling.
Congratulations to all connections 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/4qSSGrdulp
— Tweenhills (@Tweenhills) June 11, 2022
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