WITHIN the first hour of Tattersalls Book 1, bidding not only reached the million mark, it soared past it. The early highlight brought a sense of déjà vu to Park Paddocks, as a full-brother to last year’s 4,400,000gns top lot was knocked down to his sister’s buyers, Amo Racing, at 3,600,000gns

After outbidding Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier from the outside ring, a delighted Kia Joorabchian commented: “The boys loved him, we could not let him go. We want to keep the family tight and see how the family works out – obviously if he becomes a good horse, he is going to be a stallion.”

Joorabchian added that the prized yearling would “probably” go into training with Kevin Philippart De Foy, who is also in charge of the full-sister, who remains unraced but has been named Partying.

“Obviously, we like the filly, though she has not run yet,” Joorabchian continued. “This is a different project – if she does not run, she still has a huge residual value as a broodmare, and we have five stallions; if he does not, then it is a different kettle of fish. We paid more than expecting, then we are up against Coolmore and it is five [partners] against one. It is an early strike!”

Newsells off to a flyer

The colt’s dam, Aljazzi, has yet to have a runner, but is already proving quite the success story for Newsells Park Stud, who stretched to a million guineas for the dual group winner back in 2018.

Tuesday’s result exceeded connections expectations, according to Newsells General Manager, Julian Dollar, who said: “Honestly, when I did the budget in December, I put a 'measly' half a million to him; he was a big raw Frankel, but he has really come together through the year, especially in his prep.

“Coming in here, I thought there was a chance he might make seven figures, it was a bit like the filly last year. But, when two big hitters lock horns, there is always a chance they can make unbelievable amounts, which that was.”

Newsells Park Stud was a clear leader in the consignors’ table 12 months ago, with 26 yearlings generating a total of 17,185,000gns; almost three times the turnover earned by their nearest rival. The first two of their 28 lots this week sold for a combined 4,050,000gns, which takes the pressure off slightly, Dollar noted.

“These horses are expensive to produce, the nominations are expensive, and we are very fortunate to sometimes get rewarded,” he said. “Sometimes the harvest does not always go as well as expected, but that was a nice result.”