Records fell by the wayside as Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale posted an unprecedented set of returns in European auction history. The aggregate for the sale increased by over 16% to just over 102m gns. The average of 293,095gns progressed by over a quarter, while the median also reached a record high as it came in at 165,000gns. In short, this was a sale that was driven by near insatiable demand for quality stock and the number of seven-figure lots increased dramatically with 17 managing that feat this year, as opposed to nine 12 months previously.

The highlight of the sale came when Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation forked out 4m gns for a daughter of Galileo out of the top-class racemare Dank. This filly, whose sale yet again highlighted the shift in Godolphin’s purchasing policy this year, is the highest priced yearling to be sold anywhere in the world in 2017.

In addition, she is the second highest priced yearling filly ever to be sold at public auction.

Godolphin and Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Shadwell Estates’ combined spending was over 24m gns.