Coolmore made its first seven-figure signing at the latest renewal of Book 1 when M.V. Magnier secured a Frankel brother to Ylang Ylang at 4 million guineas (US$5.56 million, 1 guinea=US$1.39).
"He's a lovely horse and in fairness to Newsells Park they do a great job," said Magnier, who signed the docket with White Birch Farm.
"They've bred a lot of good horses, including his sister, who we bought here a few years ago. She was a very good filly, she's in foal to Justify. Aidan (O'Brien) and Dad were here the other day, and they both liked him a lot. All the lads were happy to get him."
The colt was bred in partnership by Newsells Park Stud and Craig Bennett's Merry Fox Stud from the listed-placed Shambolic, an 800,000-guinea broodmare investment back in 2019.
The daughter of Shamardal has now seen her progeny raise 9,625,000 guineas in Book 1 receipts, with Ylang Ylang fetching 1.5 million guineas in 2022 and Nell Gwyn Stakes (G3) third Act of Kindness going Godolphin's way at 3.7 million guineas two years later.
Bennett said: "It's been 20 years since we started the business. ... We're not quite the top seller here, but we're not far off it 20 years later—there aren't many people who can say that. That's the real pride, to have earned the respect of the industry through what you produce. I'm over the moon."
Newsells Park owner Graham Smith-Bernal was also beaming with pride after the transaction.
He said: "He looks like Frankel, and if he's 10% of what Frankel was, I think the new buyers will have done quite well. Of course, they've already done well with the family through Ylang Ylang. In my book, this colt is a couple of notches up from her. We wish them all the very best."
Coolmore's purchase represented a change of fortunes after filling the role of underbidder to Godolphin on a couple of occasions on Day 1.
Asked about the long-running sales ring rivalry, Magnier said: "Sure, isn't it great that Sheikh Mohammed is here? He gives a lot to this industry. We're very lucky to have him, that's the way I see it."
Magnier was back among the seven-figure spenders a short while later when bidding 1.6 million guineas for a Justify colt from Eddie and Eimear Irwin's Marlhill House Stud.
READ: Justify Colt Nets $2.2 Million at Tattersalls October
The youngster is a half brother to the group 2-winning Poker Face and the grade 3-placed, stakes-winning Star Devine, both of whom are by Fastnet Rock.
The pedigree improved further as recently as Oct. 4, when his 2-year-old brother Hmas Perth opened his account at the third time of asking at the Curragh.
By the end of selling Wednesday, the Coolmore-White Birch axis had secured five lots for an outlay of 7.25 million guineas.
Ace in the pack
Ace Stud became the latest buyer to land a seven-figure signing when going to 1.6 million guineas for the Night of Thunder colt out of Sweety Dream from New England Stud.
The colt is a sibling to three winners, all of whom boast bold black type. They are led by Godolphin's 2024 Prix Imprudence (G3) winner Romantic Style, who is also by Night of Thunder, as well as his listed-winning half sisters Town And Country and Are We Dreaming.
"He was the standout for us of the whole week," Ace Stud's Paul Curran said. "We were in the market to buy a nice one by the sire and he's from a good farm; we liked everything about him. There's a premium on the Night of Thunders. If they're here at Book 1, there will be a premium as the horses are the best-bred yearlings in Europe.
"That price was around what we thought we'd have to spend. He'll go to Andrew Balding; he's had great success for us with Night of Thunder. He had Gewan for us and he won the Dewhurst this time last year."
Godolphin spree passes 20 million
Godolphin's spending spree showed no sign of slowing, and by the close of trade Sheikh Mohammed's buying team had secured 18 lots over the course of two sessions for an outlay of 20,860,000 guineas.
Wednesday's haul included a Night of Thunder colt for 1.5 million guineas from Hascombe and Valiant Stud. The dam, the listed-placed Purple Ribbon, is a half sibling to five black-type winners, including 2023 Gold Cup (G1) hero Courage Mon Ami.
"We've always thought this colt was a bit special," said Hascombe and Valiant's stud groom James Frank. "Purple Ribbon is a very young mare and so it's a great result for her. This year she foaled late, and sadly we lost her foal. She was going to be rested anyway as she was late and so she is not in foal. The boss is starting to plan the matings now and I think she'll have a good one now! It's a great result for the family.
"The mare has a great temperament and she was a good racehorse. This colt was the easiest to do in the yard. The boys loved him and I remember the first day we put him on the lunge, we were like, 'Wow, this lad is this is going to be something!' We're a small team, there's only seven of us and everyone chips in. Everyone has done something with this horse to get him here today. We're all very proud."
Twomey sees foundation appeal in Frankel filly
Paddy Twomey teamed up with agent Jason Kelly and Bond Thoroughbred to secure a Frankel half sister to Mill Stream, Asymmetric, and this year's listed-winning 2-year-old Crownbreaker, who was last seen finishing second in the Flying Childers Stakes (G2).
The filly was sold for 1.5 million guineas by Redpender Stud.
"She's exciting," said Twomey, who did his bidding online. "Obviously she's by Frankel and the mare has bred very fast horses. She's just the type, if you were lucky enough, to become a foundation mare for someone. She's for a new partnership of existing owners."
Day 2 saw another 42,625,000 guineas (US$59,248,750) change hands, a total that was down 10% against the corresponding session in 2025.
The average price was down just 1% at 355,210 guineas (US$493,742), while the median was up 2% at 220,000 guineas (US$305,800). The clearance rate was 85% as 120 lots sold from 141 offered.
