Bamako Beach, a three-year-old gelding trained by Michael O'Callaghan, was sold for 360,000gns at Tattersalls on Tuesday, day two of the Autumn Horses In Training Sale.
By Sands Of Mali, Bamako Beach was considered good enough to run in the Irish 2000 Guineas this year even though he was a maiden at the time. Though he only managed seventh behind Gstaad that day, he was not disgraced.
Following a smart performance at Cork in August, where he won by almost three lengths, Bamako Beach was sent off favourite for a Group 3 race at ParisLongchamp in September. He held every chance until veering across the track in the closing stages.
Subsequently gelded and dropped in distance, he won a Naas listed race by four lengths on October 10th, wearing a first-time visor.
Connections believe he could be a top-class sprinter next year but that will be for new owners following Tuesday's transaction. The buyer was Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock who said: "He's an extraordinarily talented horse. He's had his wayward issues along the way, but has been gelded and they dropped him back to sprinting last time and he really showed the level of ability that he's got. He's got a huge engine, this horse.
"It is a bit of a risk when you've seen horses do that, but I felt in France, it was a bit exaggerated. It's a very wide course there at ParisLongchamp, and it was his first time there.
"He's a high-class horse, a really, really talented horse. He'll go to Dubai for the coming season and he's hopefully a horse that will show up on a Super Saturday. I am happy to buy him."
Tuesday's top lot was The Lost King, a four-year-old gelding rated 110 and trained by Andrew Balding.
Winner of five races from 16 starts, The Lost King won twice at York this summer and chased home stable companion Humidity in a Group 3 race at Newmarket on October 10th. He was bought by Najd Stud/Archdale Bloodstock for 750,000gns and looks set to continue his racing career in Saudi Arabia.