IRISH Derby runner-up Serious Contender has become the latest high-class young talent to be sold abroad from Ireland, now set to continue his career in Hong Kong for trainer Danny Shum.

Formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien for Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor, the Coolmore home-bred was Ireland’s sixth highest-rated three-year-old colt in training with an official mark of 116.

The son of Wootton Bassett finished a cracking second to top prospect Merchant in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot before getting within three quarters of a length of upsetting stablemate Lambourn in his Curragh classic bid.

It was also detailed in the most recent Hong Kong Jockey Club import listings that four other Irish-trained three-year-olds are set to continue their careers in the Asian jurisdiction.

Newtown Anner Stud home-bred Beckman, who won a mile handicap at Naas on Royal Ascot Trials Day in May, has been switched from Ger Lyons to Pierre Ng. The same trainer will also now be handling the career of Maestro Mark, the winner of his only start in a Gowran Park maiden for John Murphy in June over an extended nine furlongs.

Glenderry, who won a mile maiden at Dundalk last October for Jack Davison, is due to arrive in Hong Kong today and joins David Eustace, while Snapaurum, another mile maiden debut winner at Dundalk in January for Joseph O’Brien and owner-breeder John Farrell, landed in Hong Kong last month to race for John Size.