Homebred Middle Earth another smart winner for Roaring Lion

Roaring Lion colt Middle Earth, a half-brother to Buckaroo, took a step forward when winning a 12f novice on Newmarket’s July Course on Friday and looks another exciting horse by our much-missed stallion.

Middle Earth had finished runner-up on his first two starts – including behind another Roaring Lion colt, his stablemate Lion’s Pride – and showed the tenacious attitude associated with his sire when overhauling odds-on shot Naqeeb (a half-brother to Saturday’s King George hero Hukum and Baaeed) in the closing stages. The pair pulled 9 lengths clear of the third.

Ridden by Cieren Fallon, Middle Earth responded well to the step up to 12f and may even stay further in time. He is now Timeform-rated 95 and will get his BHA mark on Tuesday. There should be good handicaps to be won with him and hopefully he could progress into a Stakes performer for John and Thady Gosden.

Another Roaring Lion colt owned by Qatar Racing, Lion of War, has touched down in the US ahead of running in the Gr.1 Saratoga Derby Invitational on Saturday, a $600,000 turf race for 3yos.