Grade 1-winning hurdler Skyace added to Tattersalls Ascot March Sale catalogue

Skyace, the winner of last year's Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final, will be offered at the upcoming Tattersalls Ascot March Sale next Thursday.

The popular daughter of Westerner is a genuine rags-to-riches tale, having been picked up for just £600 when sold from Willie Mullins' yard to Shark Hanlon at the 2019 Tattersalls Ascot November Sale.

Bred by Breandan Long, Skyace failed to win in three starts for Ireland's champion trainer but, when switched to Hanlon, won five times in all including when landing Fairyhouse's Grade 1 event by half-a-length from the Mullins-trained Gauloise last April.

Skyace also won the Grade 3 Mares Novice Hurdle at Down Royal and the Listed Mares Novice Hurdle at Punchestown earlier that season, while she was when third behind Martello Sky in a Listed contest at Sandown in January.

She is the first foal out of the unraced Milan mare Graigace, who is in turn out of a bumper-winning half-sister to chase winner Skeheenarinky and from the family of the Listed-winning and Grade 1-placed chaser A Genie In Abottle.

Graduates of Tattersalls Ascot have won 957 races since January last year, while 35 have won or been placed in 53 black type races.

Next week's March Sale includes a session for British and Irish point-to-pointers, with wildcard entries being accepted. Further entries can be made up until Monday, March 28, while a printed catalogue will be available on the day of the sale.

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