Roaring Lion by a neck in Eclipse Stakes

Roaring Lion edged Saxon Warrior by a neck in Saturday’s Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park, outside of London, a result that was scrutinized by the stewards in an inquiry before the outcome was allowed to stand.

Roaring Lion, third in the English Derby last month, was the 7-4 favorite, a slight choice over 2-1 Saxon Warrior, the winner of the English 2000 Guineas in May. The race lost its future-book favorite on Friday when English Derby winner Masar was scratched after he was found to have inflammation in a leg.

Roaring Lion, ridden by Oisin Murphy for trainer John Gosden, closed from fifth in a field of seven to take the lead in the final furlong from Saxon Warrior, who was ridden by Donnacha O’Brien. Roaring Lion drifted to the right, away from the inside rail, in the final yards and bumped Saxon Warrior, resulting in the inquiry.

The $1,045,200 race was the first start against older horses for the 3-year-olds Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior.

Cliffs of Moher, 4, finished third at 12-1. Cliffs of Moher was second in the 2017 English Derby and third in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 23.

Roaring Lion is owned by Qatar Racing and has won 5 of 9 starts. The Eclipse Stakes was Roaring Lion’s third stakes win, preceded by the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket last September and the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York Racecourse in May.

Gosden indicated Roaring Lion will be pointed for the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Aug. 23. Roaring Lion is a Kentucky-bred by Kitten’s Joy who was purchased for $160,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale.