Eddie Stobart chief executive officer Andrew Tinkler took his ownership in horseracing to a new level when splashing out 400,000 guineas for the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Royal Diamond at the Tattersalls Horses-in-Training sale on Tuesday evening.

Cumbria-based Tinkler stood alongside Darlington trainer Michael Dods and was forced to keep bidding to see off the attentions of the big-spending Howard Johnson.

Tinkler only came into horse ownership two years ago and now has close on 20 horses in his care.

Tinkler said: "I went to Sir Mark Prescott's yard this morning to have a look at him and I fell in love with him. He hasn't fully matured yet."

Dods added: "He won't go jumping for us and he's a proper horse who has done everything right.

"We'll put him away now and bring him back next summer. Andrew would love to go for the Northumberland Plate, and the Ebor would also be an option next summer."