Palace Pier half-brother heading to Gosden after 320,000gns purchase

Plenty of eyes at Park Paddocks were on Highclere Stud's Highland Reel half-brother to brilliant miler Palace Pier, and agent Jamie McCalmont expressed delight at securing the classy colt, who will head into training with John Gosden.

The fifth foal out of the unraced Nayef mare Beach Frolic, the athletic bay commanded plenty of attention in the ring but it was McCalmont who struck the winning note and signed the docket for 320,000gns.

McCalmont, who disclosed that the colt was for a new client, said: "John and Thady [Gosden] were very keen on the horse, and were determined to get him.

"His half-brother is one of the best three-year-olds this year, and the fact John Gosden trains that horse and was keen on his brother is highly encouraging."

The colt was bred in partnership by Highclere and the Duke of Roxburghe's Floors Stud, which sold two seven-figure lots on a memorable day.

Lady Carolyn Warren, following the sale of Highclere's Zoffany half-sister to Royal Ascot hero Golden Horde for 580,000gns to MV Magnier, paid tribute, saying: “I’m thrilled for Floors and the Duchess of Roxburghe. It's a very poignant moment, he would be so proud.”

It was a striking personal best result for Highland Reel, who moved to the head of the sale among first-season sires. The Coolmore resident struck in the Vintage Stakes at two and in going on to record seven top-level victories worldwide and earn more than £7.5 million, he is arguably the best servant the owners and trainer Aidan O'Brien have ever had.

Palace Pier, unbeaten in five starts, has taken the European mile division by storm this season with wins in the St James's Palace Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois. The son of Kingman is due to be seen next in the Qipco-backed Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot a week on Saturday.

McCalmont also went to 170,000gns to secure lot 60, a Lope De Vega colt out of the Royal Applause mare Bibury and a brother to Earl of Sefton Stakes scorer Steel Of Madrid.

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