The second day of the Goffs Orby Sale produced an Irish record in Kill, Co Kildare, yesterday when the Kilcarn Stud's Barathea-Welsh Love filly became the highest priced member of her age and sex ever sold at an Irish auction.
An opening bid of 300,000 guineas was requested and although auctioneer, Philip Myerscough, had to go down to 50,000 guineas to get her going, the bidding was fast and furious, eventually becoming a battle between agents John Ferguson and Demi O'Byrne.
When Ferguson bid 900,000 guineas, O'Byrne responded with a 20,000 guineas increase, but the 950,000 guineas offered in reply proved enough and the filly is now in the ownership of the Godolphin team.
The filly's pedigree is magnificent, for not only is she a first class representative of Breeders' Cup hero Barathea, but she is a half-sister to unbeaten Derby favourite, Second Empire, and is out of a half-sister to the dam of Salsabil.
This price eclipses, by a long way, the previous Irish record, and she is the highest priced yearling filly sold anywhere in the world this year.
Thirteen years ago a filly by the sire of Shergar hit the million guinea mark in Newmarket.
Minutes after the Barathea-Welsh Love filly left the ring, another duel was fought, this time between Prince Fahd Salman and Darley Stud management representative, Anthony Stroud, with the latter emerging victorious.
The horse in question was a liver chestnut colt by Nashwan, sent up by the Camas Park Stud and this half-brother to top colt Hernando and Johann Quatz made 900,000 guineas.
Top Prices Lot 285: From Kilcarn Stud a chestnut filly by Barathea out of Welsh Love bought by John Ferguson Bloodstock for 950,000 guineas.
Lot 287: From Camas Park Stud a chestnut colt by Nashwan out of Whakilyric bought by Darley Stud Management for 900,000 guineas.
Lot 205: Mrs Max Morris's bay colt by Fairy King out of Sheer Audacity bought by the Thoroughbred Corporation for 450,000 guineas.
Lot 347: From the Irish National Stud. The property of Mr J Donohoe bay/brown colt by Caerleon out of Bold Flawless bought by Demi O'Byrne for 340,000 guineas.
Lot 382: From Camas Park Stud, bay colt by Storm Bird out of Croquetaillie bought by Hanson Racing 300,000 guineas.
Lot 251: From Camas Park Stud a bay colt by Sadler's Wells out of Surmise bought by Newmarket International for 275,000 guineas.
Lot 384: From Triermore Stud, bay filly by Damehill out of Crystal Cross. Bought by Peter Harris for 250,000 guineas.
Lot 413: From Barronstown Stud, a bay colt by Fairy King out of Exotic Bride. Bought by Horse France for 250,000 guineas.
Lot 234: From Staffordstown, a chestnut filly by Irish River out of Spit Curl, bought by John Gosden for 210,000 guineas.
Lot 309: From Camas Park Stud, a bay colt by Rainbow Quest out of Alexandrie, bought by Silky Green Inc for 210,000 guineas.
Lot 209: From Mountain View Stud, chestnut colt by Indian Ridge out of Shih Ching, bought by Darley Stud Management for 200,000 guineas.
Lot 338: Mr D P O'Brien's bay filly by Fairy King out of Belle Passe, bought by Darley Stud Management for 160,000 guineas.
Lot 326: From Redpender Stud, a bay colt by Barathea out of Atlantic Steam, bought by Demi O'Byrne for 150,000 guineas.
Lot 350: From Ashtown House Stud, a bay colt by Royal Academy out of Brecon Beacons, bought by Silky Green Inc for 150,000 guineas.
Lot 336: John McGarry's chestnut colt by Indian Ridge out of Bazaar Promise, bought by Sir Mark Prescott for 130,000 guineas.
Lot 283: From Ashtown House Stud, a bay colt by El Gran Senor out of Warm the Sauce, bought by Silky Green Inc for 125,000 guineas.
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