A son of the late Wootton Bassett became the highest-priced yearling in the world this year when bringing 3,800,000gns from Godolphin, bringing their spend to 7,955,000gns as the halfway mark was passed on the opening day of Tattersalls Book 1.

Sheikh Mohammed’s operation saw off the attentions of the Coolmore team, also bidding from outside the ring, for Croom House Stud’s colt, who was bred out of Denis Brosnan’s homebred listed winner and Group 3 performer Loch Lein.

Two years on from securing the colt’s Frankel half-brother for 2,000,000gns, Anthony Stroud commented: “He was an outstanding horse with a brilliant pedigree. Wootton Bassetts are a prized possession and all our team loved him. Croom do an excellent job and have bred many, many good horses.”

On what is also the second highest-priced yearling colt ever sold at Tattersalls, Stroud continued: “Of course, it’s a lot of money but these types of horses, that’s what they cost and are what all breeders are striving to produce. Let’s hope he’s a very good racehorse.”

Slow start

The very first lot into the ring at Tattersalls Book 1 did little to ease the tensions of vendors, as it attracted just two bids, though it did sell successfully, while the first two lots to reach the 500,000gns mark were bother vendored.

There was a collective sigh of relief, therefore, when bidding reached seven figures for Lot 27, with the million mark breached again before the hour was out. The fact that Godolphin bought both, and had spent 3,780,000gns on four lots after just 40 lots, was another confidence boost for both Tattersalls and consignors.

Twelve months ago, Sheikh Mohammed’s operation spent a total of 19,625,000gns on 23 lots, with Amo Racing their nearest rival with an outlay of 13,575,000gns, and it was Kia Joorabchian who filled the role of underbidder for the first seven-figure yearling of the week, a Frankel colt from Hillwood Stud.

Juddmonte and Charlie Bond were others who made a play for the 1,800,000gns colt, who is the first foal out of 2,500,000gns buy Get Ahead, herself a listed-winning and Group 1-placed half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Chaldean (Frankel).

“He’s always been a very, very special colt,” Hillwood’s Charlie Vigors reported. “We bought the mare for a lot of money and to get a first foal like that is the stuff of dreams.”

On the decision to send the daughter of Showcasing to Frankel, Vigors commented: “It was the obvious thing to do, with Chaldean where he was on the page and we’ve seen in the ring what the Frankels have been making, and that's probably in the ballpark of what you'd expect really.

“Massive thanks to Sheikh Mohammed, David [Loder], Anthony Stroud and the whole Godolphin team, and obviously the underbidders as well, of which there were plenty. This colt been very busy all week and he's shown fantastically all week and never put a foot wrong. I am just so delighted for all the team. It is a great way to get the week going.”

Hillwood Stud have six more yearlings left to sell at Book 1, including another two by Frankel. On whether Tuesday’s result takes the pressure off somewhat, Vigors replied: “Well, there's plenty more still to sell, and it is a bit like training horses - the good horses almost take care of themselves. There are plenty more to sell and lots of hard work still to be done.”

Godolphin’s commitment

Anthony Stroud’s press duties were delayed until Godolphin secured a Too Darn Hot colt for 500,000gns, after which he said: “I thought he was a beautiful colt, our principal really liked him. Showcasing is a good broodmare sire and Frankel; he is what he is - a fantastic stallion. He was just a great mover and a very, very nice horse.”

While some big spenders come and go, whether quietly or with a bang, Godolphin has remained a steadfast presence at the sales, as have Coolmore, which Stroud acknowledged after commending Sheikh Mohammed’s presence at Park Paddocks.

“It shows the commitment of two great men, in John Magnier and Sheikh Mohammed, who since the 80’s have been involved in this whole industry and supported it in every different area; not only breeding and having farms but being active at the sales and on the racecourse. I think it’s just extraordinary, really. We’ve got a lot to thank them for.”