Hong Kong Classic Mile glory for Able Friend

Able Friend, an Australian-bred son of Shamardal, stepped up in class with great success on Sunday January 19 when winning the Listed Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin, a local G1 contest. After a brief career in his native Australia when winning one of his two starts, he then transferred John Moore's stable in Hong Kong and has now won a further four races from only five starts.

Held up in midfield early, he swept to the front early in the straight, went clear and only had to be nudged out to win by half-a-length with his paternal half-brother Dibayani back in third.

Bred by Ramsey Pastoral Co Pty Ltd, Able Friend is the first Stakes winner bred out of the Stakes-winning three-year-old Ponte Piccolo (Volksraad), who is herself a half-sister to South African G1-winner Global News.

Shamardal, who has made a better start at stud than any previous Irish-based stallions, has sired ten global G1 winners. These include his first-crop star Lope De Vega, who emulated his sire in winning the French 2,000 Guineas and Derby, young Darley stallion Casamento, winner of the Racing Post Trophy and last seasons top-flight Hong Kong winner Dan Excel.