Strike It Skye is Derby bound via a trip to Hove
Strike It Skye was one of the top bitch performers in the second half of 2025. She will start her 2026 campaign at Hove for the Brighton Belle before heading to Towcester for the Derby.
The Derby is the long term plan for Strike It Skye
Strike It Skye is to have a first 2026 target of the Coral Brighton Belle at Hove - and then be aimed at the Derby.
Nominated for the Newcomer award at next week’s GBGB Awards, the highly-rated Mark Wallis-trained winner of December’s Jimmy Wright Future Stars Puppy Trophy Final at Newcastle - a competition supporting the PGR All England Cup - will be trialled at the Sussex venue shortly and is reported in good form by the champion trainer.
“There wasn’t really too much for her early in the year so it just made sense to let her down and a few weeks’ rest have done the trick. She’s bouncing,” he said. “We know she’s got great ability and Hove suits her style - and likewise Towcester.
“There aren’t too many bitches you’d even think Derby with them. But she’s definitely one of them. She's a real talent, strong-running and proven herself in competition. Remember as a raw pup she came third in the (bet365) Empress Stakes at Towcester and later reached the semi-finals of the (PGR) Oaks at Dunstall Park - and she's come forward since then, of course"
A winner of her last five races, including all rounds of the youngsters' event at Newcastle at the back-end of last year, Strike It Skye is nominated for the Newcomer of the Year award at Thursday's GBGB Awards along with Headford Dane, Romeo Alliance, Romeo Tomcat and Santas Amigo.
The Coral Brighton Belle, a Category One event, is for 36 bitches and closes to entries on Monday, April 6.
Run over 515m, heats will be staged on Saturday, April 11, with the semi-finals a week later and the £10,000 final on Saturday, April 25.
