Coolmore struck back with a 4-million-guineas purchase for a half-brother to Ylang Ylang

Following two high-stakes bidding duels lost to Godolphin on opening day, M.V. Magnier secured a colt by Frankel out of Shambolic for $5.56 million. Sheikh Mohammed has already accumulated purchases totaling 20,860,000 guineas at Tattersalls, where the second session once again yielded extraordinary figures

The battle of the millions at Tattersalls added a new chapter, and this time it was Coolmore who secured one of the ultimate treasures of the catalog. After finishing second best behind Godolphin in two spectacular bidding duels on opening day, M.V. Magnier shelled out 4,000,000 guineas—equivalent to roughly $5,560,000—for a son of Frankeland Shambolic, a full brother to G1 winner Ylang Ylang.

The purchase, completed in partnership with White Birch Farm, marked Coolmore’s first seven-figure acquisition during this edition of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, which continues to produce extraordinary prices in Newmarket.

The colt was co-bred by Newsells Park Stud and Craig Bennett’s Merry Fox Stud, and belongs to a family that has delivered outstanding results both on the track and in the sales ring.

His dam, Shambolic, a stakes-placed daughter of Shamardal, was acquired as a broodmare for 800,000 guineas in 2019. Since then, her progeny have generated no less than 9,625,000 guineas in revenue in Book 1.

The first major flagship was Ylang Ylang, purchased by Coolmore in 2022 for 1,500,000 guineas before going on to become a G1 winner. She is currently in foal to Justify.

In 2024, Act of Kindness (Siyouni), another daughter of Shambolic who subsequently finished third in the Nell Gwyn Stakes (G3), was acquired by Godolphin for 3,700,000 guineas.

Now came the turn of her full brother by Frankel, who ignited massive anticipation long before entering the ring.

“He is a gorgeous horse, and you have to hand it to Newsells Park, they do an extraordinary job,” commented Magnier. “They have bred many good horses, including his sister, whom we bought here a few years ago. She was a very good filly and is now in foal to Justify.”

The Coolmore representative added that both Aidan O’Brien and his father had inspected the colt and were thoroughly delighted.

“We were all happy to be able to buy him.”

For Graham Smith-Bernal, owner of Newsells Park, the sale marked another moment of immense satisfaction.

“He looks like Frankel and, if he turns out to be even 10 percent of what his sire was, I think the buyers will have done excellent business,” he noted.

He went even further, comparing the colt to his famous sister. “They have already had great success with this family through Ylang Ylang, but to me this colt is a couple of steps above her.”

Craig Bennett also celebrated the result, reflecting on the two decades since launching his operation.

“We have been doing this for 20 years. We aren't exactly the biggest vendors here, but we are right up there. Not many people can say that. What makes us proudest is having earned the respect of the industry through the horses we breed.”

Coolmore Bet Big on Justify

Magnier did not stop there. Shortly after, he paid 1,600,000 guineas for a son of Justify, consigned by Eddie and Eimear Irwin's Marlhill House Stud. The colt is a maternal half-brother to G2 winner Poker Face and stakes winner Star Devine, a G3-placed performer, both sired by Fastnet Rock.

The family also received a timely catalog update on October 4, when Hmas Perth (Justify), another 2-year-old half-brother, notched his maiden victory at The Curragh.

By the end of the second session, the partnership between Coolmore and White Birch Farm had acquired 5 yearlings for a total outlay of 7,250,000 guineas.

Asked about the commercial rivalry with Godolphin, Magnier preferred to emphasize Sheikh Mohammed’s paramount importance to the industry.

“Isn't it fantastic that he is here? He brings so much to this sport. We are very fortunate to have him,” he stated.

Godolphin Tops 20 Million

The response from Sheikh Mohammed's team was swift. After laying down a record 4,600,000 guineas on Tuesday for a colt by Night of Thunder out of My Astra, along with another 3,800,000 guineas for a Wootton Bassett colt, Godolphin kept buying on Wednesday.

Prominent among their new acquisitions was another colt by Night of Thunder, consigned by Hascombe and Valiant Stud and knocked down for 1,500,000 guineas.

His dam, Purple Ribbon (Gleneagles), is a maternal half-sister to 5 stakes winners, including Courage Mon Ami(Frankel), winner of the 2023 Ascot Gold Cup (G1).

“We always thought this colt was special,” explained James Frank, manager of the selling farm. “The dam is young, and this is an extraordinary result for her. He is a horse that has always been very straightforward to handle and impressed us from his early prep work.”

With that transaction and others, Godolphin reached 18 total purchases over the first two days for a combined expenditure of 20,860,000 guineas, maintaining their stance as the undisputed commercial engine of the sale.

Night of Thunder Triggers High Demand

Another highlighted price on Wednesday came via Ace Stud, who paid 1,600,000 guineas for a colt by Night of Thunder out of Sweety Dream (Dream Ahead), offered by New England Stud.

The colt is a full brother to Romantic Style, winner of the 2024 Prix Imprudence (G3) for Godolphin, and a maternal half-brother to stakes winners Town And Country (Earthlight) and Are We Dreaming (Kendargent).

“He was the colt we liked best all week,” explained Paul Curran of Ace Stud. “We wanted to buy a top-quality son of Night of Thunder, and this one checked every box.”

His destination will be the stable of Andrew Balding, a trainer who has already enjoyed success for the operation with progeny of the sire, including Gewan, winner of the Dewhurst Stakes (G1) in 2025.

Paddy Twomey also made headlines, partnering with agent Jason Kelly and Bond Thoroughbred to secure a Frankelfilly for 1,500,000 guineas, a maternal half-sister to Mill Stream (Gleneagles), Asymmetric (Showcasing), and Crownbreaker (Minzaal).

Consigned by Redpender Stud, the filly possesses the credentials to become a foundation broodmare for a major breeding program, according to Twomey.

“She is extremely intriguing. She is by Frankel and her dam produced very fast horses. If all goes well, she could become a cornerstone mare for someone,” commented the trainer, who submitted his bid online.

A 42.6 Million Second Session

Wednesday's overall commercial tally was formidable once more, though it fell slightly behind the 2025 figures.

A total of 120 of the 141 offered lots were sold, yielding an 85 percent clearance rate and a gross turnover of 42,625,000 guineas (approximately $59,249,000).

The aggregate marked a 10 percent drop compared to the corresponding day last year.

The average stood at 355,210 guineas, down just 1 percent, while the median rose 2 percent to 220,000 guineas.

The numbers confirm that the market remains willing to pay extraordinary premiums for top-tier yearlings, especially when combining standout physicals with elite female families.

Godolphin maintains a massive advantage in total investment, having eclipsed 20 million guineas, but Coolmorelanded their decisive blow with the full brother to Ylang Ylang. In a Tattersalls sale driven by the rivalry between these two titans, prices continue to challenge established benchmarks as the European yearling market witnesses another historic week.