Wildenstein dispersal steals the limelight during second session

The dispersal of the Wildenstein Stables Ltd yearlings at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale on Wednesday reached a dramatic climax when the showpiece lot, a Dubawi colt who is the first foal out of Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Beauty Parlour, sold to Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson after a protracted bidding duel with representatives of White Birch Farm, whose party included leading owner-breeder Joseph Allen.

Bidding crept up in €50,000 increments as the price passed €1 million but it was Ferguson who eventually had the last word at €1.4m.

"He's a lovely horse with a great pedigree - you know the rest," he said, as he rushed off to catch a plane.