Europe’s Highest Priced Yearling Colt Tops Opening Day of Tattersalls October Book 1

It was a blockbuster start to the opening day of Book 1 of the 2026 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale as Godolphin topped the purchasers’ list, headlined by a 4,600,000 guineas NIGHT OF THUNDER colt setting a new European record price for a yearling colt. Metrics rose across the board in comparison with the opening day of last year’s sale, as turnover climbed 16% to 46,778,000 guineas, the average surged by 26% to 406,765 guineas, and the median advanced by 14% to 240,000 guineas.

Norelands’ Night Of Thunder Colt Breaks Records

Records were shattered as Norelands’ NIGHT OF THUNDER created a new European record for the highest-priced yearling colt ever sold, as well as becoming the highest-priced yearling sold in the world this year. It was Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin who went to 4,600,000 guineas to secure the prized yearling.

Once the bidding passed 2,500,000 guineas, the battle narrowed to M.V. Magnier and Anthony Stroud. Magnier took the price from 3,600,000gns to 4,000,000gns but despite the strong move he could not shake Stroud. 

The colt was bred by Mrs Tsui’s Sunderland Holdings. He is out of the LOPE DE VEGA Group 1 runner-up MY ASTRA, who is a half-sister to the Group 2 winners and Group 1 placed horses MY OBERON and MY PROSPERO, who are both out of the Group 3 winner MY TITANIA.

“That was above and beyond our wildest dreams”, smiled Norelands’ farm manager Matt Gilsenan. “He’s an absolute superstar colt by a magnificent stallion and out of a mare who has done it as well. He was reared on the farm, and we are thrilled for the team, it’s a great boost for them.”

Reflecting on the nerves and anticipation of the past few days, he said: “All week everyone has been saying we were going great, but you never know. It’s nerve-wracking. These big horses are hard to find, and there’s not too many people at that high level, so everyone has to play. It is a mad world!”

Hamish McCalmont weighed in: “Ever since he was a foal, he was a star. It’s amazingly special and a huge thanks must go to Mrs Tsui” 

McCalmont reasoned: “It was impossible to tell if he was going to make one (million guineas) or more. If the right guys latch on, all bets are off. Mark did a great job taking him round and it’s great for the farm”. 

Purchaser Anthony Stroud said: “He is a particularly taking individual by Night Of Thunder from a very good family. He’s got the looks, he’s got stallion potential, and he comes from a very good stud. We couldn’t be happier. It was the top end of our valuation.”

Godolphin Strike for Croom House Stud’s Wootton Bassett Colt

Croom House Stud’s Wootton Bassett colt became the second highest-priced yearling sold in the world this year when fetching 3,800,000 guineas. He was bought by Godolphin, the team standing outside and bidding to the podium, along with the underbidders Coolmore.

“He is an outstanding horse and there are not many more to come from Wootton Bassett now”, said Stroud, underlining the yearling’s appeal. “This colt is from a wonderful farm that has bred countless good horses and the whole team liked him”.

The colt is out of the INVINCIBLE SPIRIT mare LOCH LEIN, winner of the Listed Prix Amandine and placed in two Group 3s. The family traces back to American Grade 1 winners BANDINI and OUT FOR A SPIN, as well as the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner and four-time Group 1 winner LORD NORTH. Croom House Stud’s proprietor Denis Brosnan had high expectations which were ultimately far exceeded:

“Obviously we are very happy. We thought he was a two million guineas colt coming here, but to almost double that is amazing.”

“The dam of Loch Lein, Ashley Hall, was the most expensive mare we ever bought”, Brosnan said, explaining the origins of the colt’s family. “She cost $850,000 in America and hails from one of the great global pedigrees. We never made money from the family until Loch Lein came along. We should put a plaque up to Ashley Hall”.

Stud manager Joe Hartigan added:

“He’s been an absolute star. He was a lovely foal and just improved and improved into a gorgeous horse”.

Mountarmstrong’s Wootton Bassett Filly Brings 2,600,000 Guineas from Blandford Bloodstock

Bloodstock agent Richard Brown fell hard for the Mountarmstrong Stud-bred WOOTTON BASSETT filly out of Group 1 Matron Stakes heroine NO SPEAK ALEXANDER.

“She is one of the best fillies I have seen this week and probably for a long time. I think she is outstanding. It’s rare to see a filly like her”, enthused Brown. “The filly last year (Silent Beauty) has won a Group 3 and a Listed race, and I was underbidder on her. I thought this filly had arguably more size, scope and strength”.

Brown added: “You never expect them to make that much, but they’re rare commodities. Hopefully, she can repay us on the racecourse”.

Mountarmstrong’s manager Robert Tierney said: “She’s one of those ones that got better and better every day. We’d like to wish Richard Brown the very best of luck, they’ve bought a lovely filly.”

Explaining the decision to send the top mare to the Champion stallion he elaborated: “We went to him because he was the best stallion around, and we wanted to mate her with the best. We went to Night Of Thunder the year before, and the mare is back in foal to him. We are just trying to give her every chance.”

Godolphin Secure Hillwood Stud’s Frankel Colt 

The first seven-figure sum of the day was achieved by Hillwood Stud’s FRANKEL colt out of the SHOWCASING mare GET AHEAD. The first foal out of the Listed winning and Group 1 placed mare, he was bought by Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin for 1,800,000 guineas. 

GET AHEAD was purchased by First Bloodstock for 2,500,000 guineas at the 2023 Tattersalls December Mares and is a half-sister to the 2023 Group 1 2000 Guineas winner, CHALDEAN. Amo Racing’s Kia Joorabchian filled the role of underbidder, while Juddmonte’s Simon Mockridge also took part in the bidding. 

“He’s always been an exceptional horse,” an ecstatic Vigors explained. “We bought the mare for a lot of money and to throw a first foal like that is the stuff of dreams. A massive thank you obviously goes to Sheikh Mohammed and the whole Godolphin team, as well as to the underbidders, of which there were plenty”

Vigors elaborated on the colt’s experience at Park Paddocks:

“He has been very busy all week and he’s shown fantastically, never putting a foot wrong. I’m just so delighted for all the team. It is a great way to start the sale.”

The winning bidder Anthony Stroud said: “I thought he was a beautiful colt, and our principal really liked him. Showcasing is a good broodmare sire and Frankel is simply a fantastic stallion. This colt is a great mover and just a very nice horse.” 

Stroud highlighted the significance of the presence of Godolphin’s leader, commenting: “I think it’s fantastic that Sheikh Mohammed is here. It is a testament to his involvement in the sport and his support for British and Irish racing and breeding.”

Yeomanstown Stud Break the Seven Figure Mark with Ghaiyyath Colt

Yeomanstown Stud’s GHAIYYATH colt became the first seven figure lot sold by the operation when fetching 1,300,000 guineas from Godolphin. 

The colt is out of the winning KODIAC mare MARIA CHRISTINA, a half-sister to the Grade 2 winner SPEAKING OF WHICH and from the family of Champion filly ALYWOW. The colt was pinhooked as a foal by Yeomanstown for €200,000. 

“Absolutely amazing”, David O’ Callaghan exclaimed. “We’ve come close, but never actually broke the million, so it’s fantastic. It’s just amazing what can happen when two of the top teams in the industry get stuck in. Thank you to Sheikh Mohammed for having faith in the horse. He’s a huge supporter of the industry and we’re lucky to have him.”

Explaining the attraction of the colt, he remarked, “He was an exceptional foal, and he’s ended up being an exceptional yearling. The €200,000 at the time maybe seemed a lot, but we were delighted to come away with him. He is by a sire who’s on the up, and everybody in the place was very keen on him.”

The sale had an emotional element to it, as Annette O’Callaghan, the matriarch of Yeomanstown, passed away in September. O’Callaghan paid tribute to his mother:

“My mother was definitely looking down today and this was very much in her memory. You can’t imagine the number of letters and cards we’ve had, as well as hearing so many kind stories about her. She left an impression on a lot of people. She’ll be smiling down on us for this one.”

Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continues at 11am on Wednesday, 7th October.