Roaring Lion finishes third in Epsom Derby
Roaring Lion confirmed himself one of the best colts of his generation when third in the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday.
Roaring Lion went closer than any horse before to giving both Qatar Racing and jockey Oisin Murphy a first Derby success when an excellent third behind Masar and Dee Ex Bee at Epsom.
Roaring Lion, an easy winner of the Dante Stakes on his previous start, travelled well throughout the race, tracking Masar, before laying down his challenge from the two-furlong pole.
Roaring Lion briefly got past Dee Ex Bee only for that colt to rally and get back up for second near the line. It would appear that Roaring Lion was just outstayed by the first two, but he tried so hard and we are extremely proud of him.
Roaring Lion was two lengths behind Masar at the line, but reversed both the Racing Post Trophy and 2,000 Guineas form with Saxon Warrior, who did not travel as well as Roaring Lion and finished two and a half lengths behind him in fourth.
There are plenty of options for the son of Kitten's Joy now, including a number of Gr. 1s back over a mile and a quarter.
His trainer John Gosden said: "He ran a blinder and we are really happy with him. He's a mile and a quarter horse and we will go to the Eclipse at Sandown next."
Oisin Murphy added: "Roaring Lion travelled like the winner and at the top of the straight I felt I would win. He didn't stay a mile and a half on that ground. I'm very proud of his run."
Roaring Lion is now favourite for the Gr. 1 Coral-Eclipse on July 7, ahead of Saxon Warrior. Masar is not entered in the race and has also been earmarked for the Irish Derby on June 30. The Eclipse, in which Roaring Lion will take on his elders for the first time, was won by 3-year-olds Golden Horn in 2015 and Hawkbill in 2016, the former, of course, a Derby winner trained by John Gosden.
Qatar Racing were also represented by True Valour and Blue de Vega on Derby Day and they finished third in the Gr. 3 Diomed Stakes and fourth in the 'Dash' respectively.