“IF the horse is here, the people will be here,” Anthony Stroud said after buying the first £1 million lot to grace the ring at Goffs UK, on what was a historic day at the Doncaster venue. The Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale has produced a steady stream of talented horses, including Bradsell in recent years, and their results on the track transferred to new highs at Thursday’s sale.

Two years ago, a Harry Angel colt set a new record price of £500,000 at the sale when sold by Tally-Ho Stud to Michael O’Callaghan, and by Lot 29 on Thursday, that had been bettered by £150,000. Thirteen lots later, another record price was set, but it was a Mehmas colt from Katie Walsh’s Greenhills Farm that exceeded all expectations at £1million.