EPIC’S DEBUT GOT US THINKING

Ian Fortune

Epic Ace was nothing short of sensational on debut at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

One of the very first crop of new sire Signet Ace to hit the track, he displayed the sort of early speed his sire and granddam were famous for.

Signet Ace was a brilliant tracker across the water, winning the Ladbrokes Winter Derby at Monmore and the Select Stakes and Eclipse at Nottingham in 2021. Of course, his out of 2017 Sporting Press Irish Oaks winner Forest Natalee so it really shouldn’t be a surprise that Epic Ace has inherited massive early speed.

It’s also worth pointing out Epic Ace’s dam, Free From Desire, was also very talented and happens to be a younger full-sister to Derby champion Good News, who also represented Kennedy and Guilfoyle.

So it is perhaps no surprise that Epic Ace is a potential star.

His 18.31 run was scarcely believable. Many will cite that the track has been running fast but that hasn’t looked the case over the past fortnight compared to the previous weeks, while he was also taking on proven sprinters.

And the clock doesn’t lie. Only Gizmo Cash, who smashed the track record with an 18.18 return back in May 2022, has ever gone faster. Ardnasool Jet, who twice broke the track record in May 2019, is the only other dog before Saturday night to dip under 18.40 in a race. He posted 18.38 and 18.33 during that month when he was the undoubted king of sprinting in this part of the world.

The level of performance it takes for Epic Ace to clock 18.31 on debut is really hard to put into words. It scarcely seems real. We will have to wait to see where he ends up going next but you would imagine he will be stepped up in trip soon. It’s notable that he still qualifies to race in A3 company. Where ever he turns up, it’s clear he is a special hound with a big future.

OTHER NOTABLE SHELBOURNE DEBUT RUNS

His display did get us thinking about some of the most impressive debut displays around Shelbourne Park.

It’s a topic we have touched on in the past but thought it would be fun to remember some of the great racing debuts at the famous Ringsend venue.

Off the top of our head we can’t remember too many if any that made the same impact as Epic Ace over two bends but only this year, Yorkie Ollie posted a sizzling 28.09 on his debut over 525yds. That’s the same mark the brilliant Droopys Nidge posted in his first race in May 2014, while Billys Diva also clocked 28.09 in August 2020. Of course, like Epic Ace, she too was representing the Kennedy family.

Going back a bit, Tyrur Lohan clocked a wonderful 28.26 on debut in 2009. At the time that created a real stir. The aforementioned Good News posted a superb 28.30 on his debut in September ’16.

Last year Grouchos Duke also made a fine impression on debut, coming home clear in an opening round heat of the RCETS Open Unraced in 28.23.

There’s a few to sink your teeth into there but if you think of any more, why not contact me on news@grireland.ie. I’d only be happy to hear from you.