A CAMELOT half-brother to the brilliant Altior emerged as the star of this year’s sale when he was knocked down to former Irish international soccer player Kevin Doyle for €155,000. Altior’s unbeaten 19-race sequence, which has taken in 10 Grade 1 events, was always going to make this colt one of the most prized foals ever to come under the hammer at this sale and his price saw him become the most expensive foal to be sold at this auction for 12 years.

Doyle, who bought Augusta Kate for €85,000 at this sale last year and keeps five mares at his father Paddy’s Slaney River Stud, reported that his purchase would come back for sale as a three-year-old. The sale-topper was offered by Coole House Farm on behalf of his breeder, Paddy Behan junior.