SHOCKED onlookers gasped ‘Jesus…’ as football superagent Kia Joorabchian smashed the record for the most expensive yearling colt ever bought in Europe.
As the gavel came down auctioneer Alistair Pim proclaimed, ‘They think it’s all over… it is now’ – a nod to Kenneth Wolstenholme’s famous line that greeted England’s 1966 World Cup-winning goal – in recognition of the amazing £4.5MILLION fee Joorabchian had just spent.
The man who sealed the transfers of the likes of Carlos Tevez and Willian has been splashing the cash at this week’s star-studded Yearling Sale at racing HQ Newmarket.
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Helped as well by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Book 1 is where all the top talent is sold and Joorabchian’s Amo Racing outfit have spent in excess of £16.5m securing the best horses for the future.
Top billing went to Lot 68 on Tuesday, a bay filly by Frankel out of Group 2 Royal Ascot-winning mare Aljazzi who cost £4.6m.
But not far behind was a ‘flawless’ colt purchased on Thursday for £4.5m.
Joorabchian has finished second in the Derby twice with Mojo Star and King Of Steel, both at giant odds.
But it is hoped this son of Wootton Bassett will go one better and land Joorabchian – and Marinakis – the world’s most prestigious race.
Bookies William Hill go 14-1 for the Amo silks to win a Classic in 2025 – while the record-breaking colt is 66-1 for the Derby.
Bloodstock agent Alex Elliott said after helping seal the deal: “If you wanted to paint a horse, you’d try and paint one who looks like he does.
“The horse is faultless. I can’t explain… from the top of the page to the bottom of the page… from the farm he was raised on… he is one of the most spectacular horses I have ever seen.
“I said to Kia you have been second in two Derbies, there’s every chance this horse can take you one place more.
“From that moment Kia locked on with Mr Marinakis again… we all lined up and he was the bullseye, everyone had the same opinion.
“Wootton Bassett was a spine-tangling horse and hopefully this one can get it done.
“It’s a colossal price for the horse but the horse deserved it, I’m afraid.
“There isn’t a horse here who can compete with him.
“Fair play to Kia and Mr Marinakis, it’s refreshing, wonderful and I’m very honoured to be a part of it.”
The rarified air of the sales at Book 1 is unlike almost anything else in racing.
After three full days of relentless bidding, tactical chess moves and do-or-die split-second decisions, more than £30m was spent on the top ten horses alone.
Over £130m was spent on 329 sold horses in all.
No wonder it’s called the sport of kings.
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