By Sean Cronin
Qatar Racing's 2-year-old colt Lion of War (GB) (Roaring Lion) became the first scorer from the lone crop of his ill-fated sire (by Kitten's Joy), when graduating in his June 11 debut going seven furlongs at Leicester last time, and notched another notable first when becoming a TDN Rising Star with a 10-length rout in Thursday's Pertemps Riverside Restricted Novice S. over much the same distance at Newcastle. The 8-11 favourite, burdened with a seven-pound penalty, was swiftly into stride and raced under a firm hold on the front end from flagfall here. Bounding clear of toiling rivals approaching the quarter-mile marker, he extended his advantage under urging and geared down from the furlong pole, easing to almost a walk across the line, to outclass Henzar (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) by daylight in taking fashion.
Lion of War is the latest of three foals and lone scorer out of 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 Race For The Stars (Fusaichi Pegasus), who annexed the G3 Denny Cordell Lavarack Fillies S., is kin to four black-type performers–headed by MG1SW sire Hawk Wing (Woodman)–out of GSW Canadian champion La Lorgnette (Val de l'Orne {Fr}). Race For The Stars is also kin to the stakes-winning Alexandrina (Conquistador Cielo), whose two black-type performers include GI Canadian International S.-winning Canadian Horse of the Year Thornfield (Sky Classic).
How about that?! Roaring Lion's son Lion Of War absolutely destroys his rivals at @NewcastleRaces! 🦁@Qatar_Racing @CierenFallonJr @Johnston_Racing pic.twitter.com/qQEPlX72nX
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 23, 2022
6th-Newcastle, £6,800, Nov, 6-23, 2yo, 7f 14y (AWT), 1:30.69, st/sl.
LION OF WAR (GB), c, 2, by Roaring Lion
1st Dam: Momentus (Ire) (SP-Eng), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: Race For The Stars, by Fusaichi Pegasus
3rd Dam: La Lorgnette, by Val de l'Orne (Fr)
(7,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $9,159. O-Qatar Racing Ltd; B-Andrew Whitlock Racing Ltd (GB); T-Charlie & Mark Johnston. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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