The Australian pair of Mr Brightside and Royal Patronage failed to fire but Hugh Bowman on a $90 outsider beat James McDonald on the odds-on favourite in Sunday’s Group I Champions Mile at Sha Tin.
From the gates Bowman on Red Lion went to the lead, with Voyage Bubble right with him, Royal Patronage tracking the duo and Mr Brightside tracking him, both in favourable positions.
Upon straightening the lead pair kicked and odds-on favourite Voyage Bubble looked likely a number of times but Red Lion was having none of it and while it was a bob of the head decision, the bob went to Red Lion.
McDonald on the runner-up protested afterwards but the on track result stood.
The Australian pair found nothing with Mr Brightside wilting to last, Royal Patronage finishing only one place ahead.
It’s the first Group One win for Red Lion although he’s been Group I placed three times previously, notably finishing second in the Chairman’s Mile last year to Beauty Eternal.
“I've got to say, I mean, I didn't really expect to win, but the fact that he has is no surprise, he ran second in the race last year,” said Bowman.
“I've ridden him a lot and I know him very well.
“I'm so proud of him and congratulations to John (Size) and to the ownership group because he's such a consistent horse and he's worthy Group One winner.”
An Irish bred six-year-old, Red Lion is by Belardo, who stood six seasons at New Zealand’s Hanui Farm but hasn’t returned since 2022.
Out of Crystal Idea (Namid), he’s from a fairly modest family close up but his fourth dam is Percy’s Lass, dam of English Derby winner Sir Percy the Champion two-year-old and three-year-old of his generation.
