News

Able Friend simply scintillating in Hong Kong Mile

15th Dec 2014

Inglis graduate Able Friend was simply scintillating in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile on Sunday running away a dominant four length victor of the world’s richest 1600m turf race at Sha Tin.

Able Friend (Shamardal x Ponte Piccolo) put in one of the most memorable performances of recent Hong Kong International Races charging from the back of the field to a facile win under an exuberant Joao Moreira.

“Wow, what a horse. He gave me the feeling that he is best horse I have sat on. I was never worried because I knew that if he put it all together he was going to come over the top,” said Moreira.

Champion trainer John Moore was in awe of the performance of Able Friend, a horse that his son George Moore purchased for $550,000 at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from breeder Stuart Ramsey’s Turangga Farm draft.

“He’s just got that turn of foot and can relax through his races without spending a penny and when you show him daylight he’s got an explosive turn of foot. The way he ran past some serious horses today I think I’ve got one of the better milers on the planet,” said John Moore.

The big striding chestnut son of Shamardal is the third foal of stakes winning Volksraad mare Ponte Piccolo and one that George Moore was not going to leave the 2011 Easter Yearling Sale without.

“We’ve had great success from Easter, but Able Friend could be the best we’ve ever bought. ‘Big Red’ was a man among boys at the yearling sales and with plenty of patience he is showing his true potential,” said George Moore.

Able Friend’s win was the second Hong Kong Mile success for trainer John Moore and owners Dr & Mrs Cornel Li Fook Kwan following Able One’s win in 2011.

Connections now have a great task of mapping out a prosperous future for their Inglis graduate Able Friend with John Moore telling the media “the Stewards' Cup next month will be his next target, but after that I'd love to take him to the Dubai Duty Free, but it might take me a very long lunch and a few bottles of wine to convince him [Dr Cornel Li Fook Kwan].”

The 2015 edition of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, the sale that Turangga Farm sold Able Friend, is due to be held on 7, 8 & 9 April next year. Entries in the 2015 Easter Preview Magazine include a half-sister to Able Friend by Arrowfield Stud stallion Manhattan Rain.

ABLE FRIEND
Race Record: 14:8-3-1
Prizemoney: HK$30,900,430 (=A$4,830,000)
Breeding: Shamardal x Ponte Piccolo (by Volksraad)
Breeder: Stuart Ramsey of Turangga Farm
Sale: $550,000 at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Buyer: George Moore Bloodstock