First Aussie Winner for Lion Heart

29th November 2008

Young shuttle sire Lion Heart posted his first Australian winner at Eagle Farm on Saturday when the Helen Page trained colt Double Heart (2c Lion Heart x Sad Eyed Lady, by Eagle Eyed) strode away for a very easy victory.

Fourth at his only previous outing when he jumped awkwardly, Double Heart bounded from the gates this time around leading throughout to win the 1000 metre open juvenile event by nearly two lengths.

Consigned by Kulani Park at the 2008 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Double Heart passed in shy of his $120,000 reserve and was retained to race by his breeders.

Double Heart is the fourth foal of Sad Eyed Lady, a half-sister by Danehill’s full brother Eagle Eyed to triple Group One winning filly Special Harmony and Group Two winners King Canute and Redwoldt.

Double Heart is the first of what is expected to be a number of juvenile winners for Lion Heart in Australia if the stallion’s American form is any indication.

The former star racehorse has shown himself to be a sire of real potential with no less than 25 individual winners, led by Group Two winner Azul Leon and Group Three winner Silent Valor, among his seven stakes horses.

A son of accomplished shuttle sire Tale of the Cat, Lion Heart will be represented by five yearlings at the upcoming Magic Millions Yearling Sale (Sessions One to Five) in January, his first crop having sold for up to $230,000 at sales earlier this year.

Once again Lion Heart has been immensely popular among breeders this season with Coolmore Australia confirming that his book is all but full once again.