Roar contributes to locking in mare’s destination

4 min read
The emergence last season of the John O’Shea-trained Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) has made a 2021 sire of choice for his dam Minnaleo (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}) a straightforward one for Peter Gillespie.

A long-time breeder and owner, Gillespie will send Minnaleo back to Contributer in the hope of a brother or sister to Lion’s Roar, a sibling whose value may be significantly boosted in the next few months.

Lion’s Roar will kick off what promises to be another lucrative campaign in Saturday’s G2 Fujitsu General Tramway S. at Randwick with the G1 George Main S. to follow.

Lion's Roar (NZ) after winning the G1 Randwick Guineas

He also holds nominations for the G1 Epsom H., the G1 Caulfield Cup and the G1 Cox Plate, while the $7.5 million Golden Eagle is another attractive option.

Last season, Lion’s Roar impressively defeated dual Group 1 winner Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) in the G1 Randwick Guineas to deliver a pleasant surprise for Gillespie.

“I didn’t even realise he (Lion’s Roar) was running that day. It wasn’t until people started ringing me with congratulations that I found out what had happened,” he said.

“It wasn’t until people started ringing me with congratulations that I found out what had happened.” – Peter Gillespie

Gillespie, who is a shareholder in Mapperley Stud stallion Contributer, purchased Minnaleo out of Windsor Park Stud’s draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$100,000 in 2009.

She is daughter of the G1 Avondale Gold Cup winner The Mighty Lions (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}), dam of the G3 Tibbie S. winner and G1 Queensland Oaks placegetter Vaquera (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}). It’s also the family of Group 1 winner and sire Press Statement.

Minnaleo won four races and produced the winning siblings Minnamosa (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) and Pipsqueak Rose (NZ) before Lion’s Roar, who was sold at Karaka on Gillespie’s behalf by wellfield Lodge to Champion Thoroughbreds for NZ$65,000.

Lion's Roar (NZ) as a yearling

“Minnaleo has got a Vespa colt and is empty at the moment and, with Lion’s Roar the best horse to date for Contributer, she’ll go back,” Gillespie said.

“Lion’s Roar wasn’t an expensive horse and John O’Shea said he was the one that looked most like his sire.”

“Lion’s Roar wasn’t an expensive horse and John O’Shea said he was the one that looked most like his sire.” – Peter Gillespie

During his time as Godolphin Head Trainer, O’Shea prepared Contributer to win at Group 1 level in the Ranvet S. and the Chipping Norton S.

A half-brother to Lion’s Roar is Asomala (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}), who finished third on debut this week at Matamata for a syndicate that includes Gillespie and trainer Jim Pender.

Gillespie founded the successful Palmerston North-based EziBuy mail order business with brother Gerard and, after selling the company, is these days living in retirement at Mt Maunganui and continuing to enjoy his racing and breeding interests.

Among the mares Gillespie has full or part-ownership of are the multiple Group 1 winner Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}) and her Group 1-performed daughter House Of Cartier (Alamosa {NZ}) with both booked to visit Savabeel.

Shez Sinsational (NZ)

Stakes performer Art Deco (NZ) (Road To Rock) is due to foal to Almanzor (Fr) and will be served by him again while a mating for R. Listed Karaka Million runner-up Fantastic Honour (NZ) (Any Suggestion) is yet to be confirmed, but Per Incanto (USA) is a front-runner.

Long-lasting friendship

Gillespie has successfully raced a number of horses over the years with his long-time friend and breeding advisor Bill Gleeson, of Wellfield Lodge.

“We’re great mates and I trust his judgement. To be honest, I know very little about horses, I haven’t got that knowledge and don’t make out that I have – my role is mainly paying for them!” Gillespie said.

Gillespie and Gleeson were in the ownership group that purchased Alamosa (NZ) to stand at Wellfield and celebrated a Group 1 win in the Toorak H. before the son of O’Reilly (NZ) went to stud.

He subsequently produced Group 1 winners Kirramosa (NZ), On The Rocks (NZ) and Stolen Dance (NZ) and is still serving mares on a limited basis.

Gillespie and Gleeson also shared in the ownership of the G3 Kelt Memorial winner and Group 1 placegetter Ringo (Fastnet Rock) while The Big Bopper (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) won the G3 White Robe Lodge H.

Lion's Roar
Peter Gillespie
Minnaleo
Bill Gleeson
Contributer