GODOLPHIN topped the purchasers’ list in Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale 12 months ago, spending 15,930,000gns on 27 lots, but this year their name was missing from the comparative table.

Nonetheless, Sheikh Mohammed’s presence was well and truly felt and, with the help of his advisors, he once again led all buyers at the sale. With 36 lots bought for a staggering 21,075,000gns, this year’s list was led by a wide margin by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock, and it is fair to assume that the vast majority of these purchases were for the ruler of Dubai.