Juddmonte International Stakes
Group 1, York 15:35 £1,000,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 56y, Class 1
Wednesday 22nd August 2018

1 Roaring Lion 3/1
2 Poets Word 8/5F
3 Thundering Blue 50/1
8 ran Distances: 3¼l, ½l, 1½l
Time: 2m 7.70s (slow by 1.00s)

Roaring Lion bolts up in the Juddmonte International at York

Roaring Lion
© Racehorse Photos

John Gosden's Roaring Lion landed the Dante Stakes on the Knavesmire in good fashion earlier in the season and although a non-stayer in the Investec Derby, he had shown just how classy he is when beating older horses in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown last time out.

It was more of the same for the three-year-old and red-hot jockey Oisin Murphy back at York, with 3/1 shot Roaring Lion bursting into the lead a furlong and a half from the finish as Poet's Word was briefly denied a clear run.

Sir Michael Stoute's charge - the 8/5 favourite - finished well but couldn't lay a glove on a devastating Roaring Lion in the closing stages, the Prince of Wales's Stakes and King George hero having to settle for a three and a quarter-length second under James Doyle.

The supplemented Thundering Blue (50/1), ridden by Fran Berry, was held up off the pace and came home in tremendous style for third to justify trainer David Menuisier's decision to run him in the race.

Menuisier told Racing UK: "We knew the horse was so well and the way he was coming home against those sort of horses makes you think he could win a Group One at some stage.

I think the Japan Cup would suit him extremely well and we've talking about that with Fran for a while as Fran has ridden lots in Japan. I think he'll improve again up to a mile and a half."

Juddmonte International Stakes
(Group 1) (British Champions Series)
£1,000,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 56y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places