As the then head trainer for Godolphin, John O’Shea put the polish on the striking High Chaparral )IRE) entire Contributer (IRE) when he made a winning Australian debut in the 2014 Group III Coongy Handicap at Caulfield so it’s fitting that O’Shea should have the honour of training Contributer’s first winner.
Off the strength of a couple of barrier trial performances, Lion’s Roar was favoured to make a winning debut in the Good Luck Andrew Bensley 2YO Showcase Handicap (1200m) at Wagga on Thursday. He got the job done but it was not without some drama.
He was turned sideways when the eventual second placed Another One (Super One) tried to force out from the fence.
Ridden by Shaun Guymer, Lion’s Roar was strong to the line on the very heavy track in defeating Another One by a long-neck with Mr Moppett (Sizzling) a further two lengths back in third.
A $65,000 purchase by Champion Thoroughbreds out of the Wellfield Lodge draft at the 2019 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Lion’s Roar is the second winner from three to race out of the talented Black Minnaloushe mare Minnaleo.
A 4-time winner, Minnaleo is a half-sister to Vaquera, a daughter of High Chaparral (IRE) who won the Group III NJC JC Tibbie Stakes and placed in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks.
Minnaleo is a daughter of the Group 1 Avondale Gold Cup winner The Mighty Lions (Grosvenor) who hails from the family of Vinery Stud’s dual Group 1 winner Press Statement and the Group 1 BRC TJ Smith Classic winner Pressday.
Contributer stand at Mapperley Stud in partnership with Darley.
A two time Listed winner in England, Contributor was dominant in the autumn of 2015 winning the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes, Group 1 Ranvet Stakes and Group II Apollo Stakes on his way to being honoured as the champion middle distance galloper of 2014-15.
He had 67 foals in his first crop and The Lion’s Roar is just his second runner.
