Epic Ace delivered an unforgettable debut performance at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, marking himself as a potential future star. As one of the first offspring of the new sire Signet Ace to grace the track, Epic Ace showcased the blazing early speed that both his sire and grand dam were renowned for.
Signet Ace was an exceptional racer, having claimed victories in major competitions like the Ladbrokes Winter Derby at Monmore and the Select Stakes and Eclipse at Nottingham in 2021. With his dam being Forest Natalee, the 2017 Sporting Press Irish Oaks champion, it’s no shock that Epic Ace inherited such impressive speed.
Moreover, Epic Ace’s dam, Free From Desire, was a standout herself, and she is the younger full sister of Good News, the Derby champion who also represented Kennedy and Guilfoyle. Given his pedigree, it’s no surprise that Epic Ace is showing signs of greatness.
His time of 18.31 was almost unbelievable. While some may argue the track was running fast, recent conditions suggest otherwise, and he was racing against seasoned sprinters. The clock doesn’t lie, and only Gizmo Cash has run faster, setting the track record at 18.18 in May 2022. Before Epic Ace’s debut, only Ardnasool Jet, who twice broke the record in May 2019, had dipped below 18.40 in a race, with times of 18.38 and 18.33.
To produce such a remarkable run on debut is beyond words. It hardly feels real. While it remains to be seen where Epic Ace will race next, it’s expected that he’ll soon step up in distance. Remarkably, he’s still eligible to compete in A3 company, but no matter where he appears, one thing is clear—this is a special greyhound with a bright future ahead.