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The Frankel colt out of Simple Verse topped day 3 of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.
On a day when 14 lots sold for 300,000gns or more, the Frankel colt out of Classic winner Simple Verse will return to Tweenhills after her part owner Sheikh Fahad bought out his partners at 600,000gns.
Those bidding on the colt included Eugene Daly and Philipp Von Stauffenberg, but it was John Gunther, bidding on the rope, who had the final say.
"John was acting for Sheikh Fahad, who was buying out his partners," reported Redvers.
"Sheikh Fahad, his brother Sheikh Suhaim and associate Mohammed al Kubaisi owned the mare in partnership and initially the other two wanted to sell after she finished racing.
"Sheikh Fahad persuaded them to stay involved, but with the agreement to sell all of her progeny as foals.
"The Sheikh did see this colt in the summer, but only got here this evening when he saw him again and finalised his decision to buy his partners out."
Offered as lot 1025 the bay colt is the first foal out of dual Group 1 winner Simple Verse who is herself a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Even Song.
The leading buyer on the third day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale was US buyer and businessman John Sykes of Florida-based Woodford Thoroughbreds who purchased five lots through agent Lincoln Collins for a total of 1,390,000gns.
Their most expensive buy was the Invincible Spirit filly out of Liscune who was bought for 440,000gns. Offered as lot 1004 the filly is a sister to the Group winner Music Box and Listed winner Ektihaam. Further back this is also the family of Oaks (Group 1) winner Snow Bride, the dam of Lamtarra. Hector Protector and Bosra Sham also feature in the family.
Collins indicated that the Woodford Thoroughbreds purchases would head to Luke Lillingston's Mount Coote Stud and could either be re-offered next year or retained.
Lincoln Collins said: "Plans will be fluid, but with a filly there are more options.
"With a pedigree such as this there are broodmare considerations, and she has a pedigree that you would want for your broodmares."
Shortly afterwards Woodfood Thoroughbreds struck for the Sea The Stars filly out of Amazone. Sold by Casletown Stud as lot 1019, the filly is a half-sister to the stakes placed par Apadanah and Ancona. This is also the family of the Melbourne Cup (Group 1) winner Almandin.
"That was amazing," said Castletown's Joe Hernon. "We bought the mare as maiden here and she comes from Gestut Schlenderhan bloodlines, which recently celebrated 150 years of breeding horses.
"I share her with Dr Klaus Schulte and we decided to send her to Sea The Stars because he is crossing so well with German pedigrees."
A colt by Coolmore Australia shuttler Caravaggio sold well on Friday when bought by Abbeylands Farm for 250,000gns. Lot 834 is a half-brother to stakes winner Forever In Dreams and out of a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Marchand d'Or. Caravaggio stood for a fee of $27,500 (inc GST) at Coolmore Australia this year.
Another Coolmore Australia shuttler to have a foal break the 200,000gns barrier was Churchill. Lot 1050, a colt by him out of Madame Hoi was bought by Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock and Baroda Stud for 220,000gns.
Friday saw 171 of the 211 lots offered sold on par with the 2018 figure when 172 of the 217 lots offered sold. The aggregate however fell 19% from 21,136,500gns in 2018 to 17,102,000gns this year. The average was also down 19% from 122,877gns to 100,012gns whilst the median dropped 7% from 70,000gns a year ago to 65,000gns.
Saturday is the final day of the December Foal Sale before the Mare Sale commences on Monday.
