NO one smiles better than Con Marnane and the breeder was beaming following the sale of a half-brother by Prince Of Lir to this year’s Group 2 German 2000 Guineas winner Fox Champion for 260,000gns. Bloodstock agent Alastair Donald signed for the February-born bay who will carry the colours of King Power Racing.

Marnane took something of a backseat this time as the colt was consigned by his daughter Amy. She explained some of the reason for her father’s delight when she told the press afterwards: “This horse is almost more closely related to Con than I am!