IF any explanation was needed as to why Sheikh Fahad has focussed on trading horses, rather than racing them in Europe, then Tuesday provided the answers, as Gladius, a three-year-old he owned in partnership, brought 950,000gns from Blandford Bloodstock’s Richard Brown.

Trained by Andrew Balding for Qatar Bloodstock, China Horse Club and David Howden, the Night Of Thunder colt gained an important update when finishing second to Damysus in the Group 3 Darley Stakes, for which he was sent off favourite. Offered by Jamie Railton with a rating of 111, he may not have been an obvious type to near the million mark, but his price speaks to the regard in which Damysus is held, as it was his owners Wathnan Racing that Brown acted on behalf of.