Inglis Proud Of International Achievements

Shamardal’s Australian-bred star Able Friend recorded his sixth straight stakes victory when taking out the G1 Hong Kong Champions Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday.

His win added to a weekend of international success after fellow Inglis graduate The Conglomerate won at G2 level in South Africa on Saturday.

The HK$14 million Champions Mile today was Able Friend’s fourth victory at G1 level this season and was achieved with consummate ease for trainer John Moore and jockey Joao Moreira.

Able Friend (Shamardal x Ponte Piccolo) settled in fifth position in the small six horse field and once balanced up down the long Sha Tin straight he never looked in danger, coasting to a one length victory over Rewarding Hero and Dan Excel.

Rated the world’s equal best on turf in 2015, Able Friend was bred by Stuart Ramsey and sold from his Turangga Stud draft at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $550,000 to George Moore Bloodstock.

Owned by Dr & Mrs Cornel Li Fook Kwan the champion has won 11 of 16 starts in Hong Kong including his last six in a row for earnings in excess of HK$52 million (A$8.5 million).

Able Friend is now set to travel to Royal Ascot in England next month for the G1 Queen Anne Stakes over the gelding's favoured 1600m journey.

The Conglomerate (Lonhro x Republic Lass) continued the superiority of Australian bred and Inglis sold horses in South Africa this season when winning the G2 Greyville KRA Guineas (1600m).

The Joey Ramsden trained colt finished ahead of fellow Inglis Premier graduate Mac de Lago, with the only other Inglis graduate in the event, Anjaal, finishing fourth.

The Conglomerate was purchased for $160,000 from the draft of Tyreel Stud at the 2013 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale by JJ Van Der Linden (Global Bloodstock) and Derek Brugman (Mayfair Speculators).

By champion sire Lonhro from dual Group 1 winner Republic Lass, The Conglomerate is raced by Markus and Ingrid Jooste.

Australian bred horses have won an amazing 23% of South Africa’s black type races this season from only 3.6% of the racing population.

They include Inglis stakes winners Majmu, Arcetri Pink, Mitraad, Killua Castle, Alboran Sea, Buckinghampshire, Wild Ash, Sensible Lover, Entisaar, Tamaanee and The Conglomerate.