JP McManus snaps up Cheltenham Festival favourite The New Lion - with former owner Darren Yates set to leave the sport

Exciting young hurdler The New Lion has been snapped up by multiple champion jumps owner JP McManus.

And former owner Darren Yates has revealed that he and his wife Annaley are quitting racing and selling their whole string. 

The New Lion has looked a star in winning all four races for Dan Skelton, culminating in a thrilling victory in last month's Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury, where he was scarcely asked a question yet scored by nearly five lengths on the bridle.

That had Yates describing him as a future Champion Hurdle or Cheltenham Gold Cup prospect – and hinting that the Champion could even be a possibility this season.

He told the Racing Post he had already rejected one bid for the unbeaten six-year-old and intended to keep him in joint ownership with his wife unless "a really silly offer" came along.

More from Darren Yates:

• ‘I mentioned the Champion Hurdle to Dan for The New Lion and had a lot of swear words fired back at me!’ 
• 'I got berated for paying that sort of money - but guess what? It's my money' 

But The New Lion has now been sold privately to race for McManus, who was crowned champion jumps owner for the 16th time in 2023-24 and has had a record 78 winners at the Cheltenham Festival.

JP McManus: purchased The New Lion privately from Darren YatesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Confirming the deal, McManus's racing manager Frank Berry said: "It's just happened in the last day or so.

"He looks as though he's going the right way and we hope all goes well. He needs to be lucky, that's all."

The New Lion will remain with trainer Skelton but running plans have yet to be determined.

"There is no news," Berry said. "The deal's only just been done, so I have no idea at this stage."

The New Lion is a best-priced 3-1 favourite for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Latest Turners Novices' Hurdle betting

Ladbrokes: 5-2 The New Lion, 10 Jalon D'Oudairies, Potters Charm, The Yellow Clay, 12 Kopek Des Bordes, 14 Kaid D'Authie, 16 bar.

Darren Yates (left, pictured with Harry Skelton): "I find prize-money a little bit depressing, I always have done. The owners are never looked after properly"Credit: Grossick Racing

Yates revealed that he and his wife had decided to give up owning horses at the start of the season but waited in order to maximise the value of their string when they were sold.

"I said to Dan let's try to make a target of winning a Grade 1," he said on the Nick Luck Daily podcast. "By the end of the season I'll be out totally.

"The experience of the day is amazing. Winning a Grade 1 was amazing. But they're very short-lived when you look at all the other things you have to put up with in racing.

"I find prize-money a little bit depressing, I always have done. The owners are never looked after properly. How are they going to carry on without looking after the owners? I just don't get it. I don't think owners are looked after anywhere near well enough."

Yates would not give details of his deal with McManus but revealed he sought assurances that The New Lion would stay with Skelton and be ridden by his brother Harry.

"The deal massively suits JP, massively suits me," he said. "It gives me an interest in the horse moving forward. I have a bonus interest, depending on what he does in the future.

"I'm delighted the horse has gone to JP because when I stand back and look at racing in the UK and Ireland I don't know where we would be without him."

McManus's festival team taking shape

The deal is a huge boost to McManus's novice hurdle team for Cheltenham. Before the purchase the owner had no runner shorter than 14-1 for the four novice hurdles, although he does boast a strong team of older horses led by Champion Chase favourite Jonbon and Fact To File, while last year's Triumph winner Majborough is the 4-1 second favourite for the Arkle.

Supreme
Kel Histoire (20-1, 4th fav)

Turners
The New Lion (3-1, fav)
Kaid D'Authie (16-1, 4th fav)

Albert Bartlett
The New Lion (20-1, 5th fav)

Mares' Novices' Hurdle
Kientzheim (14-1, 4th fav)

Now read these...

Darren Yates: ‘I mentioned the Champion Hurdle to Dan for The New Lion and had a lot of swear words fired back at me!’ 

'Harry told me not to worry - he just wins' - The New Lion thrills Skeltons with stunning Challow Hurdle win 

Dan Skelton fires warning to novice hurdle division after exciting The New Lion extends unbeaten record 

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