History was made at Tattersalls Oct. 6 as a striking son of Night of Thunder rewrote the European sales record books.
Old rivals Coolmore and Godolphin had the Norelands-consigned youngster in their crosshairs, and at points during an epic bidding duel it seemed as though neither would back down.
The price rocketed into seven-figure territory and continued on its steep upward trajectory in increments of 200,000 guineas. At 3,600,000 guineas, Coolmore's M.V. Magnier gestured that he wanted to up the ante by a full 400,000 guineas. However, the Godolphin camp, with Sheikh Mohammed at the center of the huddle, continued to return fire with metronomic regularity.
Eventually, the decisive increase came from Godolphin's Anthony Stroud, who signaled a bid of 4,600,000 guineas (US$6,384,197, 1 guinea=US$1.39) in the direction of the spotter outside by the parade ring. After a brief pause for thought, Magnier turned on his heel and conceded defeat.
The colt was bred by the Tsui family's Sunderland Holding Inc. from My Astra. The daughter of Lope de Vega won the listed Rothesay Stakes during her time in training with William Haggas, and was also beaten just half a length in the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) won by La Petite Coco.
In turn, My Astra is out of the group 3-winner My Titania, making her a half sister to the group 2 scorers My Prospero and My Oberon.
"It's been a while since we've done this!" beamed Norelands' farm manager Matt Gilsenan. "It's fantastic and we're just delighted to have horses for Mrs. Tsui. He's an absolute superstar colt by a magnificent stallion out of a mare who's done it as well. Even in our wildest dreams though, that was above and beyond.
"He was always a star. He's lived on the farm and there's guys that aren't even at the sale who've put a lot of work into this colt; it's a great team effort. It's a great boost because it's a mad world. It can be a tough week when everyone says 'You're going great, you're going great', but it's still nil-nil at that point. You haven't scored yet. We've scored now!"
Gilsenan expanded on his perspective on the record-breaking transaction, saying: "It's nerve-wracking; these big horses are hard to find. There aren't too many people who'll play at that level. Everyone has to play and you always have the worry, as has happened before, that it won't happen.
"I thought he might make $3 (million), but it's a crazy world. Anything over $2 million is a lot of money for a four-legged animal! Once the right guys latch on, all bets are off. Mrs. Tsui loved him, and she would've been happy to keep him too, to a level. If she was ever going to keep a stallion, it'd be this colt."
Hamish McCalmont, son of Norelands supremo Harry McCalmont, added: "Amazing. Ever since he was a foal he was just the most amazing horse. As Matt said, it's all thanks to Mrs. Tsui and the team at home. It's amazingly special. Mark Nolan did a great job bringing him around the ring."
The youngster surpassed the previous high mark for a colt sold at a European public auction. The title had belonged to Poker, a son of Wootton Bassett who remains winless after selling to Amo Racing for 4,300,000 guineas at Book 1 in 2024.
Godolphin Dominates Day 1
The Night of Thunder colt was one of six millionaires to change hands on Day 1. All bar one of those went the way of Godolphin. The operation was a mile clear at the head of the leading buyers' chart, with 11 recruits secured for an outlay of 15,730,000 guineas. That spend means Godolphin accounted for just shy of 10% of sold lots and 34% of turnover.
On the headline purchase, Stroud said: "He's a beautiful colt. He's from a very good family and was a particularly taking individual. He has the pedigree, the looks, the stallion potential. He's an extremely nice horse and comes from a very good stud. Mrs. Tsui is an excellent breeder. We're so lucky to have bought him. That was definitely at the top end of our valuation, for sure."
When asked about locking horns with the Coolmore camp, Stroud grinned and said: "We're in good company!"
Coolmore also filled the role of underbidder when Godolphin secured a son of the much-missed Wootton Bassett at 3,800,000 guineas earlier in the day. The colt spent a brief spell as the most expensive yearling to change hands anywhere in the world in 2026.
The sought-after youngster was sold by Croom House Stud, which topped the 2024 Goffs Orby Sale with this colt's half brother Treanmor. That €2 million son of Frankel also went the way of Godolphin.
"He's an outstanding horse," Stroud said. "He's got an excellent pedigree and Wootton Bassetts are prized possessions. It goes without saying, all our team loved him. Croom House do such an excellent job; they've bred many, many good horses, and this is another outstanding individual.
"Of course it's a lot of money, but these types of horses, that's what they cost. That is what all breeders are striving to produce. Let's hope he's a very good racehorse."
The 3,800,000 guineas youngster surpassed another son of Wootton Bassett at the head of the global yearling market. That colt fetched €4.6 million after another clash between Coolmore and Godolphin during the Arqana August Sale. On that occasion, the Irish firm won out.
Expanding on the clash with Godolphin's old foes, Stroud said: "The final decision is always the principal's. This was an outstanding horse and you would expect (Coolmore) to be bidding. Everyone has their own valuations, at the end of the day, but he was an extremely nice horse.
"We were underbidders to Coolmore on another extremely nice Wootton Bassett at Arqana earlier in the year. It's the way it goes; one wins some and loses others. That's the nature of the game."
The colt is out of Loch Lein, a daughter of Invincible Spirit who carried the Brosnan silks to victory in two races for Jessica Harrington, most notably the listed Prix Amandine. The dam also finished third in the Sceptre Stakes (G3) and Fairy Bridge Stakes (G3).
Loch Lein was also bred under Croom House's Epona Bloodstock banner after her dam Ashley Hall was purchased in 2007 for $825,000 at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
Statistics
Turnover was up 16% at 46,778,000 guineas (US$64,921,736); the average price rose by 26% to 406,765 guineas (US$564,536); and the median climbed 14% to 240,000 guineas (US$333,089). The clearance rate was a solid 85%, up from 79% at the corresponding session 12 months ago, as 115 yearlings sold from 135 offered.
Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continues at 11 a.m. local time Oct. 7.
