Almost a year on from the portentous debut win of Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) at Kempton, that recently-crowned king of the staying division's more fleet-footed half-brother Lion's Pride (GB) (Roaring Lion–Crimson Ribbon, by Lemon Drop Kid) surged to TDN Rising Star status at the same venue on Wednesday evening. Having been a highly promising runner-up on debut over 10 furlongs at Newcastle in May, Anthony Oppenheimer's homebred was partnered by Robert Havlin who had also been aboard his illustrious G1 Gold Cup-winning half-sibling in that eye-catching win 10 months earlier.
Racing in the catbird seat off the slow early tempo, the 4-7 favourite showed sharp acceleration to pounce on inferior rivals two out and settle the result quickly before drawing away for a resounding three-length success from stablemate Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion). Lion's Pride, who hails from the same Clarehaven stable as Courage Mon Ami, becomes just the second TDN Rising Star for his sire after the ultimately disappointing Lion Of War (GB).
“He's always been quite a big baby and he learned plenty at Newcastle,” Havlin said. “He has a big action, so we avoided quick ground and I was impressed with the way he quickened from the two-and-a-half to the one-and-a-half today. Courage Mon Ami did everything wrong when he won here and was a work in progress and this guy is the same–he will learn and he was a different horse to the last day, so I'm sure he'll be a different horse again next time. He's got good attributes–he relaxes, has a good turn of foot and stays.”
Alongside Courage Mon Ami, Crimson Ribbon is also responsible for the Listed Chalice S. winner and G3 Pinnacle S. and G3 Princess Royal S. runner-up Crimson Rosette (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), the Listed Girvan Waugh Randwick City S. winner and G3 Neville Sellwood S. runner-up Astronomos (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and for Purple Ribbon (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), who was second in this track's Listed Wild Flower S. A full-sister to the G2 Hardwicke S. and G2 Jockey Club S. winner Bronze Cannon and the GIII My Charmer H. scorer Valiant Girl (GB), she is also a half to the G2 King Edward VII S. winner Across The Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Her unraced 2-year-old Danielle (GB) is by Cracksman (GB), while she also has a yearling filly by Golden Horn (GB) and a filly foal by Time Test (GB).
3rd-Kempton, £40,000, Novice, 7-12, 3yo/up, 10f 219y (AWT), 2:24.10, st/sl.
LION'S PRIDE (GB), c, 3, by Roaring Lion
1st Dam: Crimson Ribbon, by Lemon Drop Kid
2nd Dam: Victoria Cross (Ire), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: Glowing With Pride (GB), by Ile De Bourbon
Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $29,093. O-Mr A E Oppenheimer; B-Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
Lion's Pride scores at @kemptonparkrace
The half-brother to Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami quickens clear in good style for Rab Havlin & team Gosden pic.twitter.com/Bp24VMFn5C
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 12, 2023
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