Howden homebred 3yo Running Lion completes hat-trick

David Howden’s homebred 3yo filly Running Lion, born and raised at Tweenhills, made an impressive return to the track when winning the Racing TV Fillies’ Conditions Stakes over 1m at Kempton. This was her third win in a row from four starts and she holds Gr.1 entries, including in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas.

Running Lion lined up as the 6/4 favourite against four useful rivals at the Sunbury track and, under Oisin Murphy for the first time, she found plenty for pressure to beat Godolphin’s once-raced winner Dancing Goddess.

This race has been won by many smart fillies down the years, including subsequent Gr.2 winners Lilac Road in 2021, Very Special in 2015 and Laugh Out Loud in 2012, and Gr.3 winner Marenko in 2016.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Running Lion’s time was fractionally faster than the 1m races on the card won by her stablemates Slipofthepen and Laurel (Listed race) too.

There are plenty options open to Running Lion next, including the QIPCO 1000 Guineas over 1m at Newmarket on May 7 and Gr.1 Prix Saint-Alary over 1m2f at Longchamp on May 14. She also holds entries for the Oaks at Epsom on June 2 and Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly on June 18 – what an exciting time for David and Fiona Howden and family!

Running Lion is by the late Roaring Lion and out of Dansili mare Bella Nouf, who was purchased for David Howden by Tweenhills at the 2018 Tattersalls December Mare Sale. Bella Nouf cost 325,000gns carrying a filly by Frankel; that filly was sold as a foal for 350,000gns and became 2yo Gr.3 winner Majestic Glory.

Bella Nouf also has a 2yo colt by Zoustar in training with Andrew Balding and a colt foal by Frankel born a couple of weeks ago.