An international cast of potential purchasers raised their hand for the sale topper including Jocelyn de Moubray, Ballylinch Stud's John O'Connor alongside Mick Flanigan, Simon Crisford and Japanese trainer Mitsu Nakauchida who was the eventual underbidder.
Consigned by Newsells Park Stud, the regally bred son of GALILEO is a full brother to Group winners SECRET GESTURE, SIR ISAAC NEWTON and most recently the Group 2 Beresford Stakes winner JAPAN who was purchased at Book 1 last year for 1,300,000 guineas.
Julian Dollar of Newsells Park Stud said:
"She is a wonderful mare and the pedigree says it all, but timing is everything and Japan's Beresford win just revitalised everything and brought back some interest and vibrancy to the pedigree.
"This is a lovely colt, and has always been a lovely horse, though maybe not as pretty as Sir Isaac Newton. I think that Aidan believes he did not get it quite right with Sir Isaac, so Coolmore was happy to come back again - I also know that Ballydoyle holds Japan in high regard.
"I have to thank everyone at home – yearling manager Gerry [Meehan] and his team have done a fabulous job, the whole draft looks superb and this horse was in top order. They have all been a really happy team to work with this autumn."
The sale of the GALILEO colt out of SHASTYE represented the equal second highest price for a colt at auction in Europe, only behind his full brother SIR ISAAC NEWTON who realised 3.6 million guineas in this sale ring in 2013.
