Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed al Maktoum established a new top price at the 2017 Australian Easter Yearling Sale on Thursday when going to $2.5 million for a colt by Redoute's Choice.
Michael Wallace seated alongside Mr Teo from the China Horse made all the running until being joined after $2 million by Sheikh Khalifa's representative Tim Stakemire with Stakemire having the final nod.
The colt, out of Secluded, is a brother to the Group III Canonbury Stakes winner and Group I Blue Diamond Stakes runner-up Pariah and a three-quarter brother to Group I winner Melito.
Stakemire declined to speak to the media afterwards however, John Messara of Arrowfield said the sale exceeded his expectations.
"Very pleased that Sheikh Khalifa has got this colt as he's been a great supporter of the stallion all the way through and lets hope he follows in the footsteps of his brother," Messara said.
"I was expecting a big price but didn't know what it would be, there were a lot of people interested in him and it's fitting, I think, that Redoute's should top the sale.
"I think this colt is a bit more mature, more forward at this stage than Pariah was."
The colt out of Secluded is the 73rd yearling by Redoute's Choice to sell for $1 million or more at public auction.
Arrowfield sold Pariah as a yearling at this sale last year and have bought back into the colt with a 50 percent stake for an undisclosed price.
"He's a fantastic colt that I've kept tabs on since we sold him here," Messara said.
"He'll stay with Peter and Paul Snowden and be managed by James Harron. They've done a great job with him. We will take him over once he's finished racing.
"It was really important to me to get back into him as I think he's going to make a terrific stallion."
