Hong Kong Trophy for Noble Alpha

Noble Alpha, an Irish-bred son of Shamardal, registered his first Stakes victory when winning the Listed Hong Kong Trophy (a local G1 contest) over 1500m at Taipa in Macau. Trained in his formative years in Germany by Mario Hofer where he was placed in five Group contests including their 2,000 Guineas, this was his second Macau victory for new trainer C W Chang.

Bred by Eckhard Sauren, he is a daughter of Group-winning mare Nouvelle Noblesse (Singspiel), and a half brother to a further two Stakes performers. Nouvelle Noblesse also has a full-sister yearling to Noble Alpha and is due to Manduro this season.

Noble Alpha becomes Shamardal's 49th individual Stakes winner, with 25 of these at Group level. Already in 2013 he has sired 17 Stakes performers including the Irish-bred Puissance de Lune, a multiple Group winner in Australia and favourite for the Melbourne Cup. Shamardal stands in 2013 for €50,000 Oct 1st SLF at Kildangan Stud alongside his G1-winning juvenile son Casamento, who is standing for the first time this season at a fee of €5,000.