ANOTHER chapter in the remarkable story of Skyace was written this week when the rags-to-riches Grade 1 winner was sold for £80,000. In doing so she topped the March Sale at Tattersalls Ascot, the same venue where Shark Hanlon bought her for just £600 in November 2019.

It was Hanlon who struck the winning bid again this week and he believes her racing days are not over yet.

“I am delighted to get her back and I have bought her for a lad from Naas, T.J McDonald,” reported the trainer. “He already has horses in training with me. He wants her to go back in training and then go breeding – he is going to race her for a year and then put her in foal.”

Explaining the reason for the mare’s sale today, Hanlon said: “She got a chip in her knee at Sandown and the syndicate wanted to sell her then. Hopefully, we will see her at Cheltenham next March, that is the plan.

“I am thrilled, I did not think that we would get her, I thought she would make too much. I am thrilled, the whole story has been wonderful, and the Birdinthehand Syndicate has had a brilliant time.”

The dual Grade 1-winning hurdler Petit Mouchoir was sold by Bective Stud to trainer Christian von der Recke for £25,000. The trainer has a listed race in Germany in mind for the 11-year-old, as well as possible options in France. “He looks in good order and there should be plenty more time with him,” said the trainer of the gelding by Al Namix.

Jamie Codd went to £38,000 on behalf of Westmeath trainer Ciaran Murphy for Walhaan. The six-year-old is rated 87 and last ran in October when third in a Class 3 handicap at Ascot over a mile. He has reached a career high of 92 and was in training last year with James Tate.

Murphy took over Dot Love’s training licence on her retirement in January 2021 and runs Enjoy D’Allen in the Grand National next week.

Jamie Lloyd of Meah Lloyd Bloodstock spent £40,000 on Boafo Boy, sold by Jamie Osborne’s The Old Malthouse Stables. The three-year-old son of Lope De Vega is BHA-rated 77 and goes to Qatar.

Lisronagh point-to-point winner Come On Paddy Mac was sold by Richie Rath’s Ballybawn Stables for £20,000 to Clive Handford. The six-year-old by Libertarian has raced four times.