Qatar Racing’s Roaring Lion triumphs in York

The Qatar Racing Limited-owned colt Roaring Lion imposed himself easily in the Juddmonte International Stakes (Gr1) at York yesterday.Travelling on the outside of the field under Oisin Murphy, John Gosden-trained Roaring Lion was only pushed forward by his rivals, to win by three lengths and a quarter in front of Poet’s Word. Thundering Blue completed the podium half a length behind. “This is so special,” Qatar Racing’s Sheikh Fahad al-Thani, who lapped up the moment as he had missed his previous Group One win in the Eclipse Stakes, said. “We always knew he was a terrific horse. He is improving race by race.”An ecstatic Gosden said: “He’s run a lovely race. They went an honest pace. You’d got Dubai World Cup winners in there, Poet’s Word came at him and ran a blinder. There were no hiding places out there. We were delighted with him.“I was expecting a big performance from him. This horse ran a great race in the Derby. He won his Eclipse well and he’s got better through the season,” Gosden added, referring to his third place finish in the Epsom Derby (Gr1) and the Eclipse victory in July.“He’s got bigger and stronger. He had a difficult spring, but he’s done nothing but improve since.”Murphy was also astride Al Shaqab Racing’s Watan in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Gr3) earlier in the day.Richard Hannon-trained colt had come in to the race after a victory during the Qatar Goodwood Festival.Yesterday, Watan tracked leaders before challenging 400m from the post. He courageously took the second place behind Phoenix of Spain while Persian Moon finished third.