Roaring Lion and Oisin Murphy - Revisited

 Roaring Lion and Oisin Murphy - Revisited

He was an absolute superstar Oisin, what did he feel like to ride?

He was incredible, really easy to ride. He never pulled, he had a great mind, so you could put him anywhere in a race, obviously you're always acutely aware that he's got a brilliant turn of foot. So that makes all the diference.


Was he the best you’ve ever ridden?
On ratings, Roaring Lion was the best I've ever ridden, he was world champion 3yo. He didn't win a classic like Kameko, but he was slightly higher rated. He was fantastic to be a part of. I was at a young age when I rode him, he was the horse of dreams.

He was versatile with regards to trip, what was his best trip?
I think no doubt a mile and a quarter was his best trip, he was versatile so a mile was fine for him as well. But he didn't stay in the Derby, a mile and a half stretched him.

What was your personal highlight on him?

My personal highlight was winning the Irish Champion Stakes, in front of a home crowd, it was a race I grew up watching, it was brilliant to get the job done. It was a moment I'll never forget.

As we all know, Roaring Lion was sired by Kitten’s Joy. With these US sires, their progeny are always pigeon-holed into wanting good or faster ground. With Roaring Lion was he as really as ground dependant as people think?

Roaring Lion actually got through slow ground when he won the QE2 at Ascot on Champions Day, but he was a very good mover and he liked fast ground. He was at his best on very fast ground.

Unfortunately, he is no longer with us, but he did stand at stud for one season. What qualities do you think he’ll pass down the line to his progeny?

I really hope Roaring Lion passes on the heart, he had a massive heart, and a great personality. Then ability wise, I hope he can transfer that will to win and the turn of foot he had. As a physical, he had a great depth and girth, he was the perfect model so let's see what his progeny turn out like.

Roaring Lion x Simple Verse filly at four weeks old.

(Photo courtesy of Tweenhills)

What did roaring lion mean to you, and your career?

Roaring Lion meant the world to me. When he passed away, I started crying. We had some very special memories, I rode him in every race bar his first one and I rode him in a lot of his work as well in Newmarket. So I got to know him pretty well.

Thanks ever so much to the champ, Oisin Murphy. Your bond with the Lion is really beautiful, we all knew you loved him so much, and we as racing fans did too. It shook the racing world when we lost him, but his memories will certainly, live long in the memory. 

Rest easy Roaring Lion, we all miss you immensely. 

If you wish, please head over to "https://tweenhills.com/stallion/roaring-lion" to view their Roaring Lion page.

More editions of Revisited coming soon.