Coolmore on top again as MV Magnier lands 900,000gns No Nay Never colt

Tattersalls witnessed some heavyweight bidding battles between Coolmore and Godolphin during Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale, and when the superpowers renewed their rivalry on Monday MV Magnier was forced to 900,000gns to land a son of No Nay Never from Croom House Stud.

Interested parties filled the gangway as the colt strode panther-like around the Park Paddocks ring, while Mick Kinane, representing the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Anthony Stroud, hidden away on the back stairs, tried in vain to get the better of the Coolmore man with some rapid-fire bidding.

The transaction produced a huge return for the Brosnan family's Croom House Stud, having bred the colt under the Epona Bloodstock banner during No Nay Never's third season on duty at Coolmore, when his fee was just €17,500.

The record-breaking youngster is out of Winning Sequence, a winning Zafonic half-sister to Prix Saint-Alary heroine Coquerelle, meaning he is a sibling to three winners and the dam of Prix Yacowlef scorer Barbill.

The result was, however, a bittersweet one for the Croom House team, as it was revealed Winning Sequence died earlier this year after foaling a colt by Profitable.

Denis Brosnan said: "We paid a lot for the mare [€480,000] at Arqana in December in 2007 when she was carrying her first foal. Lots of people said we'd paid too much but she's repaid us now! We felt he would really stand out here."

MV Magnier: 'No Nay Never looks like he could be an exceptionally exciting stallion'Credit: Laura Green

Joe Hartigan, general manager of Croom House, added: "All the right people were on him and he had a lot of action. He did over 130 shows but he took it all so well - he has a fantastic mind. Every show was the same, he came out and just strutted his stuff."

No Nay Never enjoyed a productive weekend on the track, with daughter Shadn winning the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte and Tango creating a deep impression with a six-length success in a Listed event at the Curragh.

"No Nay Never had a great weekend, he had four runners in the Dewhurst and the second [Arizona] and third [Wichita] ran great races; they look like they'll improve into next year," said Magnier. "It's a great result for Denis Brosnan, who's been a big supporter of our stallions - he's a fantastic breeder."

The Coolmore man will be hoping history can repeat itself with his purchase, as No Nay Never's best son, July Cup hero Ten Sovereigns, was bought through Charlie Gordon-Watson for 200,000gns at Book 2 in 2017. The son of Scat Daddy's fee was quadrupled to €100,000 prior to the most recent breeding season.

"No Nay Never looks like he could be an exceptionally exciting stallion," added Magnier. "He's had a huge number of stakes winners in the last few weeks alone. Aidan [O'Brien] and Paul Shanahan are very high on him, everybody at Coolmore is very excited about his future."

More Tattersalls October Yearling Sale news:

Coolmore's turn to be on right side of Tattersalls bidding war with Godolphin

Delight for Oneliner Stables after 'life-changing' 725,000gns pinhooking success