Godolphin pipped Coolmore to the post with the highest fee paid for a yearling so far in the world this year when going to 4,000,000 guineas for a daughter of Galileo on the final day of the Book One sale at Tattersalls.
As the price continued to rise, it was Coolmore's MV Magnier and John Gosden on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed who went head to head in pursuit of the filly, who is out of Dank, winner of the Beverly D. Stakes and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in 2013.
Not since 2013 - when Al Naamah was purchased for 5,000,000gns - has a yearling filly gone for such a figure.
Gosden said: "She is from a proper owner-breeder and was clearly an obvious one to go for, and obviously lots of people wanted her; fillies do have both racing and breeding options.
"She is an outstanding filly and to produce one like her - particularly a first foal - is an incredible achievement, it is not easy to do."
The filly - to be named Gloam - was bred by James Wigan, who told Tattersalls: "We're very pleased, she's a beautiful filly.
"We've known throughout the year that she is a particularly nice filly. She has a great character - the more she does, the more she likes it. She's always been a star.
"Breed the best to the best and hope for the best." It's a reasonable enough theory - but it will cost you! 💷
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"She has a lot of the mare about her, the mare was the same, she liked to be doing things. Hopefully she has a bit of Galileo about her and I think she is a good combination of the two, actually."
When asked if he was aware of the fee she would command, Wigan added: "Not quite those sorts of levels. I always thought that she would be nearing the top price of the sale.
"To get two people who are as keen as that in competition, it's fantastic. Galileo has had a wonderful year and you couldn't have more really."
