Even in the super-rich world of horse racing, one particular lot at an Irish auction drew gasps of surprise.
A yearling filly changed hands yesterday at Goffs Orby Sale in Kildare for an eye-watering 1.7m.
Offered for sale by the Mountarmstrong Stud, the filly has an impressive pedigree – daughter of the legendary Frankel out of the five-time Group One winner Alexander Goldrun.
PICTURE OF THE DAY: A Frankel filly out of Alexander Goldrun who sold for €1.7 million @Goffs1866 today pic.twitter.com/kjUenzZEZ1
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) September 29, 2015
Chief executive of Goffs Henry Beeby explained that she was a very special animal.
“The only way you can put it into human terms is a supermodel and an athlete rolled into one,” Beeby said to Kildare Now. “When it went over a million, there were five different bidders.
“That demonstrates her broad appeal.”
The filly was bought by Teo Ah Khing of the China Horse Club who was delighted with his purchase, describing her on Twitter as “a queen“.
What a queen! Foundations built on fillies like these. Frankel X Alexander Goldrun. pic.twitter.com/JmHxEVJrHF
— China Horse Club (@Chinahorseclub) September 29, 2015
Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum of Dubai and Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien were also in attendance, with the auction continuing today.
Five more yearlings sired by Frankel were included in the lots, along with the cream of Europe’s yearlings.
Today's top lot 1.7m @Goffs1866 #Superstar #Frankel #alexandergoldrun @Chinahorseclub #goodluck pic.twitter.com/AvQORxuDfX
— Paul McGreal (@McGreal81) September 29, 2015
H/T: Denise O’Donoghue