A new record price was set at Arqana's Deauville sales complex on Saturday when Group 1 winner Place Du Carrousel sold for €4.025 million.

Offered by Haras de Bouquetot on behalf of Al Shaqab Racing and Ballylinch Stud, the André Fabre-trained winner of the Prix de l'Opera was knocked down to online bidder Portofino Bloodstock, whose identity is unknown though there was speculation on the sales ground that the buyer was Zhang Yuesheng's Yulong Investments.

Irish Group 1 winner Pearls Galore was unsold at €2.4 million during the same session.

Graham Smith-Bernal of Newsells Park Stud paid €2 million to buy Group 2 winner Sibila Spain, a daughter of Frankel in foal to Dubawi.

Two other lots broke the €1 million barrier. Godolphin paid €1.25 million for Sea The Sky, a daughter of Sea The Stars who was part of the Gestut Ammerland dispersal.

Japanese breeder Katsumi Yoshida gave €1.2 million for Prix de Diane winner Channel. The dauhter of Nathaniel is in foal to Wootton Bassett.

The sale, which also features flat-bred foals, has mirrored recent sales by returning a fall in the average and median prices, as well as the clearance rate, compared to the same stage last year.

The sale continues on Sunday.