Blackbeard's sister brings €2.6 million

Bred by Newstead Breeding, the No Nay Never filly is the second foal out of Muirin, a winning daughter of Born To Sea who finished fourth behind Happily in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes in 2017 for trainer Edward Lynam and owners Robert Moran and David Myerscough. The mare, who in turn is out of Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes winner Girouette, sold to Broadhurst Agency for €210,000 at the 2018 Goffs breeding stock sale.

The filly becomes easily the most expensive progeny of No Nay Never to change hands at public auction, with the previous high mark set by Nay Lady Nay, who sold to Juddmonte Farms for $1.7m at Fasig-Tipton last November. Her price also comfortably eclipses that of her Group 1-winning brother, who fetched 270,000gns from Jamie McCalmont when offered by Norelands Stud at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

Blackbeard is raced by the Coolmore and Westerberg axis and MV Magnier was among those who kept a close eye on proceedings as bids began to come from all angles. However, matters ultimately boiled down to US-based agent Jacob West and Richard Knight, with the latter striking the decisive blow from the middle tier of the auditorium to the right of Henry Beeby’s rostrum.