'She's a wonderful advert for what one can potentially buy at Tattersalls Ascot'

The Tattersalls Ascot March Sale has something for everyone, ranging from Grade 1-winning hurdlers to unraced two-year-olds and plenty in between, and all eyes will be on Skyace as the Fairyhouse winner takes her turn in the ring as a wildcard.

Consigned by her trainer Shark Hanlon's Court Stud, the daughter of Westerner (lot 114) enjoyed her finest success with victory in the Grade 1 Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final at Fairyhouse last April, while she has also struck in Grade 3 and Listed company over the timber.

The seven-year-old is not the only high-class hurdler for sale, with the hugely popular Petit Mouchoir (125) being offered by Bective Stud. The 11-year-old won the Irish Champion Hurdle and Ryanair Hurdle in the 2016-2017 season while under the care of Henry de Bromhead.

Godolphin's draft proves popular every year and among the eight-strong consignment are the likes of Angel's Thunder (59), an unraced daughter of Night Of Thunder and out of a half-sister to Oaks heroine Qualify; and Rathlin Island (63), a twice-raced daughter of Teofilo and out of Dubawi's German Listed winner Raphinae.

Andrew Balding, Archie Watson, Richard Hughes and Jamie Osborne are among the Flat trainers with lots on offer, while there are plenty up for grabs from the yards of National Hunt giants Dan Skelton, Paul Nicholls, Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins.

So what do those involved make of the sale and of Skyace's presence?

Matt Prior: 'This sale has historically been a popular fixture at Ascot.'Credit: Laura Green

Matt Prior, the head of Tattersalls Ascot, said: "After a Covid-19 enforced absence, the Tattersalls Ascot Sales returned last year with a record-breaking renewal of its November Sale, and it is pleasing to see both leading National Hunt and Flat trainers supporting the sale once again, while the Godolphin draft is always a highlight.

"Skyace is a wonderful advert for what one can potentially buy at Tattersalls Ascot, given she was purchased for the minimum bid at the Ascot November Sale by Shark Hanlon back in 2019. Since then, she has gone on to win and place in multiple Graded races, including the Grade 1 Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse, earning her connections more than £100,000."

He continued: "Shark's been a long-standing supporter of Tattersalls Ascot and we are grateful for him choosing Tattersalls Ascot to offer a mare of this calibre - she would be a standout at any National Hunt sale, and we hope gets the sales at this venue off to a positive start this year."

Prior was also keen to emphasis how well positioned the sale is in the calendar for buyers in both disciplines.

He said: "This sale has historically been a popular fixture at Ascot, in terms of being both an outlet for National Hunt trainers at this point in the jumps season, with Flat trainers also able to move on some of those horses that have been running on the all weather.

"The sale sits well in the calendar in terms of offering point-to-point vendors a sale option for those horses that may fall shy of the level needed for selection in our Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales."

The sale starts from 11am at at Ascot Racecourse stables, while the catalogue can be found here.

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