JP McManus poaches Cheltenham Festival favourite The New Lion for rumoured £1million in seismic coup
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JP McManus has poached Cheltenham Festival favourite The New Lion for a rumoured £1million, according to reports. The game's biggest owner is believed to have sealed the astonishing coup just two months before racing's biggest event. The New Lion was previously owned by Darren Yates - who became a multi-millionaire after betting his last £62 on Frankie Dettori's Magnificent Seven in 1996.
![[Darren Yates, the former owner of The New Lion before he was bought by JP McManus, became a millionaire after backing Frankie Dettori's Magnificent Seven]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/d7becb0e-b430-438e-9e5b-7331b8ee149e.jpg?strip=all&w=757)
One source in the bloodstock world told Sun Racing there was 'no way' Yates would consider offers under £500,000 for his awesome Challow Hurdle winner, who is 3-1 fav for the Turners Novices' Hurdle. It is believed the figure billionaire McManus paid is between £800,000 and £1m.
![[Harry Skelton cruises to victory in the Challow on The New Lion, who has been bought by JP McManus]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/new-lion-ridden-harry-skelton-960248409.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The six-year-old gelding is a perfect four from four and never came off the bridle in winning his first Grade 1 last month. The New Lion is trained by Dan Skelton, who won the old Turners Novices' Chase last season with Grey Dawning. More to follow. A responsible gambler is someone who:.
