Racing: Foal fetches world record 2.5 million guineas

A world auction record price for a foal was set in Newmarket on Saturday when Indian-born racing newcomer Satish Sunan paid 2.5 million guineas (pounds 2,625,000) for an 10-month old full-brother to 1991 Derby winner Generous on the final day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sales.

Joss Collins of the British Bloodstock Agency, took on Demi O'Byrne and the foal's joint-breeder John Magnier, the powerful Coolmore Stud team behind Michael Tabor's recent successes. From the million mark auctioneer John O'Kelly took increments of 100,000gns instead of the usual 20,000 until the Irishmen conceded.

Florida-based Sunan, Collins' client, made his fortune in the computer business and was one of the biggest spenders at auctions in the United States earlier this year on his first dip into the bloodstock market. He intends to send his newest purchase, a white-faced bay son of Caerleon and Doff The Derby, to Dermot Weld to be trained.

The previous world foal record was the $2.5 million given in Kentucky 12 years ago by Stavros Niarchos for subsequent Coronation Stakes winner Magic Of Life. Saturday's price was also the highest ever for a horse of any category in the Tattersalls ring.

The record-breaker was the fourth sale-topping foal Doff The Derby has produced for her breeders, Barronstown Stud and various partnership companies, since Generous' Epsom win. Two, Osumi Tycoon (440,000gns) and Matikanebenizakura (540,000gns), have won in Japan and last year her son by Sadler's Wells went to O'Byrne for 360,000gns. That one's full-sister Strawberry Roan was this year's Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up in Magnier's colours.