Godolphin paid 4,600,000 guineas for a colt by Night of Thunder, setting a new European record

The colt out of My Astra set a new record for a colt sold at public auction in Europe following a fierce duel with Coolmore. Sheikh Mohammed also expended 3,800,000 guineas for a son of Wootton Bassett, as his operation went on to thoroughly dominate the opening day of Book 1 at Tattersalls

NEWMARKET, England (Special for Turf Diario).— Godolphin and Coolmore once again went head-to-head for one of those rare yearlings that come along only every so often. Neither side was willing to yield, and the price kept climbing until Anthony Stroud raised the bid to 4,600,000 guineas. M.V. Magnier paused for a few seconds, turned around, and conceded defeat. A record had just fallen.

The standout star was a spectacular colt by Night of Thunder, consigned by Norelands during the opening session of Book 1 at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

The 4,600,000 guineas price tag—equivalent to approximately US$ 6,384,000—established a new benchmark for a colt sold at public auction in Europe, surpassing the 4,300,000 guineas that Amo Racing had paid in the same arena in 2024 for Poker, a son of Wootton Bassett who has yet to win.

The intense interest behind the new record rested on rock-solid credentials. Bred by Sunderland Holding Inc., belonging to the Tsui family, the colt is out of My Astra, by Lope de Vega, who won the Rothesay Stakes (L) when trained by William Haggas and finished just a half-length behind La Petite Coco (Ruler of the World) in the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1).

The maternal line adds even greater depth. My Astra is out of the G3 winner My Titania (Sea the Stars) and is a half-sister to My Prospero (Iffraaj) and My Oberon (Dubawi), both G2 winners.

Pedigree, physical presence, and future stallion potential ultimately sparked a duel between the two global breeding giants.

Bidding quickly reached seven figures and continued advancing in 200,000-guinea increments. When the board hit 3,600,000, Magnier attempted to accelerate the resolution by making a direct 400,000-guinea jump to reach 4 million.

It was not enough. With Sheikh Mohammed at the center of the Godolphin team, counter-bids kept coming until Stroud sealed the definitive 4,600,000 guineas.

“He is a beautiful colt, from a very good family, and a particularly attractive individual. He has the pedigree, the physical attributes, and the stallion potential,” summarized Stroud.

The bloodstock agent admitted the figure reached the upper limit of Godolphin's valuation. “We are extremely fortunate to have been able to buy him. We definitely pushed to the limit of our valuation.”

When asked about another million-dollar battle with Coolmore, he smiled: “We are in good company.”

“Not in Our Wildest Dreams”

For Norelands, the result exceeded all expectations. “It’s been a while since something like this happened to us!” celebrated farm manager Matt Gilsenan. “It’s fantastic. We are thrilled to handle horses for Mrs. Tsui. He is a superstar colt, by a magnificent stallion, and out of a mare who also proved her quality. But even in our wildest dreams, this went beyond everything.”

Gilsenan mentioned that the colt was always regarded as something special at the farm and highlighted the hard work done since his birth.

“He was always a star. There are people who aren’t even here at the sale who worked so hard with him. It’s a complete team effort.”

Prior expectations, however, were nowhere near 4,600,000 guineas: “I thought he could bring 3 million, but this is a crazy world. More than 2 million is already a massive amount of money for a four-legged animal! When the right buyers show up, anything can happen.”

He even explained that the Tsui family was prepared to retain him if bidding fell short of a certain threshold: “Mrs. Tsui adored him. If she was ever going to keep a colt with an eye on a future stallion career, this was the one.”

Another Wootton Bassett for 3,800,000

The record came after Godolphin had already engaged in another monumental battle with Coolmore.

Hours earlier, they paid 3,800,000 guineas for a colt by the late Wootton Bassett out of Loch Lein (Invincible Spirit), offered by Croom House Stud.

For a few hours, that colt stood as the most expensive yearling sold anywhere in the world in 2026.

He also carried a family history familiar to Godolphin. His half-brother Treanmor, by Frankel, had topped the 2024 Goffs Orby Sale when purchased by the same operation for €2,000,000.

The dam, Loch Lein, won two races for Jessica Harrington, including the Prix Amandine (L), and placed third in both the Sceptre Stakes (G3) and the Fairy Bridge Stakes (G3).

“He is an exceptional horse,” commented Stroud. “He has an excellent pedigree, and sons of Wootton Bassett are highly sought after. Our entire team loved him. Of course it’s a vast amount of money, but these horses cost that. It’s what all breeders strive to produce.”

Once again, Coolmore was the underbidder. The situation reversed what occurred in August at Arqana, when both powerhouses battled for another son of Wootton Bassett that ultimately went to the Irish outfit for €4,600,000.

“You win some and you lose some. That’s the nature of this game,” Stroud summarized.

Godolphin Takes Center Stage

The first day of Book 1 saw 6 yearlings sell for at least 1,000,000 guineas, with five ending up in Godolphin's hands. In total, the operation acquired 11 lots for 15,730,000 guineas, making them by far the leading buyer. Their acquisitions represented nearly 10 percent of all lots sold, yet accounted for a staggering 34 percent of the day’s total turnover. And no moment reflected that buying power better than the tug-of-war for the son of Night of Thunder.

Coolmore pushed the fight to rarely seen territory, but Godolphin was determined not to let him slip away. The 4,600,000 guineas that ultimately tipped the scales did not just secure one of the most coveted yearlings in the catalog—it also established a new high mark in European auction history.