Europe`s auction record was smashed last night when a son of champion sire Sadler`s Wells made 3.4 million guineas at Tattersalls Houghton Yearling sales in Newmarket.
Coolmore boss John Magnier, standing with owner Michael Tabor, had the final nod after a protracted duel with Sheikh Mohammed for the colt consigned by Andrew Lloyd-Webber`s Watership Down Stud.
'He looked the part and everything about him was right - I`m delighted,' Tabor told the Racing Post. 'It won`t be a bad deal for at least two or three years.'
Mozart landed the £400000 Houghton Sales Stakes on Tuesday afternoon to add to the big-races successes of Montjeu and Giant`s Causeway for the Coolmore team and Tabor added: 'We`ve being doing well on the racecourse which helps. Success breeds success. You pay your money and take your chance.'
The price beats the three million guineas paid by Godolphin for a Nureyev colt at this sale two years ago.
Tuesday`s record-breaker is out of Prix Vermeille winner Darara, who has already produced seven winners.
Godolphin secured the session`s next highest lot, a son of the brilliant filly Bosra Sham by Rainbow Quest, for one million guineas.
'He was a lovely colt with a lovely pedigree,' said Goldolphin`s representative John Ferguson. 'I should think he will go into training with Godolphin and join David Loder at Stanley House next season.'
