Amo Racing has sent a clear signal that it intends to remain active at the top end of the yearling market by spending €3 million on a filly at the Arqana August Yearling Sale on Monday.

The three-day sale ended with a roar on Monday, resulting in total spending of €60 million (including private sales), up from €50 million last year, and this despite nine fewer horses being sold this year. The clearance rate came in at just under 80% and the median price of €170,000 was up more than 20% too.

Godolphin were the top spenders, splashing out €8 million on eight horses. Amo Racing spent close to €5 million on just four yearlings, which included the sale-topping filly by Night Of Thunder.

She is out of Prudenzia, already the dam of Irish Oaks winner Chicquita and Group 1 winner Magic Wand. Her price is a record for this sale.

Standing with bloodstock agent Alex Elliott, Amo Racing principal Kia Joorabchian lodged the winning bid, a €200,000 increase to €3 million. The underbidder was Henri Bozo, representing the vendor Ecurie des Monceaux and attempting to buy out the interests of the filly's other joint-breeder, the estate of the late Lady O'Reilly.

“She is truly priceless!”, said Alex Elliott. “To build a dynasty, you need to acquire horses like this. She is a splendid filly, and her dam has produced remarkably well. It's a very lively family. We are more than happy.”

Amo Racing has emerged as a leading player on the racing and sales scene in the past five years. Champion Stakes winner King Of Steel was a breakthrough star for them in 2023.

In the autumn of 2024 Amo Racing took its investment to another level when spending almost 20 million guineas at Tattersalls Book 1 Yearling Sale on 17 horses. They partnered in another eight yearlings at that sale.

Amo Racing was also active at other yearling sales and then earlier this year they again invested heavily at the breeze-up sales, spending over three million guineas on just seven horses at the Craven Breeze Up Sale alone.

On Sunday evening in Deauville, Amo was outbid by Coolmore for the evening's top lot, a €2.3 million Wootton Bassett colt. Again on Monday they lost out to Coolmore for a €1.2 million Camelot colt.

But within an hour Amo came away with the €3 million Night Of Thunder filly, followed up swiftly with a €850,000 Lope De Vega colt , the first foal out of Queen Trezy, who was placed in Group 1 company.

Godolphin had some memorable duels in the sales ring with Amo Racing over the past year and Sheikh Mohammed's operation has also been very active at Deauville in recent days. On Monday Godolphin spent over €4 million on two yearlings within a few minutes. First they acquired a Frankel colt for €2.25 million and then a Dubawi filly for €2 million.

“Dubawi is an extraordinary stallion for our operation,” said Anthony Stroud. “It’s rare to see fillies of this quality go under the hammer, and we had to seize the opportunity. We’re very lucky to have been able to get her.”

Another from the family of Magic Wand and Chicquita, the Dubawi filly was consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux, which once again was the leading vendor, selling 36 horses for €17.5 million.

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