AIDAN O’BRIEN admitted he was ‘sorry’ to see a ‘seriously good’ potential superstar sold from his yard.
Irish Derby runner-up Serious Contender looks to have rock-solid form to his name.
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The three-year-old colt was second to Derby king Lambourn at the Curragh when he last ran in June.
Prior to that he was runner-up to William Haggas’ hugely promising Arc de Triomphe contender Merchant in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He has won two of six career races and bagged just shy of £250,000 for owners Coolmore, improving a massive 24lb in just three months.
But his career will continue in Hong Kong after being sold to top trainer Danny Shum – the brains behind unstoppable Group 1 monster Romantic Warrior.
New connections will be hoping Serious Contender can win even a fraction of the £21million Romantic Warrior has earned.
But for O’Brien it is another top talent out the Ballydoyle door – coming hot on the heels of Royal Ascot winner Trinity College.
O’Brien told the Racing Post: “His form is excellent and we’re sorry to see him go, but that’s what happens.
“Trinity College has gone to Australia and this guy has gone to Hong Kong. That’s just the way it is.
“Serious Contender will do very well in Hong Kong. He’ll really be suited to it.
“He’s a seriously good horse.”
Loaded Hong Kong owners have been plundering the British and Irish racing ranks in search of the next big name.
And even King Charles and Queen Camilla are not immune to the huge cash being offered for some horses.
The King’s Falcon, who was trained by William Haggas, will move to Hong Kong to be trained by John Size.
Ralph Beckett has seen Seraph Gabriel leave after he was beaten a nose in the Golden Gates Stakes at the Royal meeting.
While Hampton Court third Glittering Legend is off to Hong Kong as well, having been trained by James Fanshawe previously.
Both those runners will now be trained by David Eustace, the son of Newmarket trainer James and brother of Royal Ascot-winning handler Harry.
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