TWO smart Irish-trained three-year-olds who have won this year have been sold to race in Hong Kong.

Naas winner Woodford General and Dundalk scorer Aerclub will be racing at Sha Tin and Happy Valley when next seen by the public.

Trained by Kieran Cotter to win a maiden at Naas on the opening day of the turf flat season, Woodford General leaves Ireland with a rating of 92. He was purchased by agent James Mescall on behalf of a Hong Kong client.

A €95,000 yearling consigned by Yeomanstown Stud, the son of Gutaifan was purchased by Danny Murphy for his owner Frank O’Carroll at Goffs Orby Yearling Sale. Murphy spent 25 years training in Singapore and returned to Ireland last year.

Murphy commented: “Woodford General is the third horse from our initial batch that we have sold to race abroad, the others being last season’s impressive Curragh maiden winners Daughter In Law and Kondratiev Wave.

“As much as we’re sorry to lose him I’m delighted for his owner Frank O’Carroll, who is a great friend of mine. He’s originally a Westmeath man, now living in Kildare, hence the maroon and white halved colours.”

Murphy says he is constantly on the lookout for more horses with Far East appeal. “With so much uncertainty surrounding racing and sales, we are particularly keen to hear from owners who have two-year-olds with scope for the upcoming series of barrier trials.

Aerclub (by Charm Spirit) was a 45,000gns breeze-up buy and won both his starts for trainer Henry de Bromhead. He made a winning debut in November and scored again in March, both races coming at Dundalk.