A colt described as "the best example of his sire I've seen around the world' sold for $2.4 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on Wednesday.
After an opening bid of $1 million for the second foal of three-time Listed winner Hoss Amor by Medaglia d'Oro, bloodstock agent John Moynihan exchanged bids with Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed al Maktoum before having the final say at $2.4 million for a partnership that includes Stonestreet Stables, Coolmore and Aquis Farm.
"He's a beautiful horse, he's one of the first I saw when I got here. I was in the courtyard looking at another horse and saw him walk out and that was it," Moynihan said. "I just went straight away to look at him."
Stonestreet Stables raced champion mare Rachel Alexandra by the same sire and Moynihan said the Hoss Amor colt is as good as he's seen by the sire.
"We had great success with Rachel Alexandra and he's arguably the best Medaglia d'Oro colt I've ever seen - even in America. He's just a wonderful horse.
"I didn't know we'd have to go that high to get him, it's an awful lot of money but I think he's a special horse. He looks like he could be an early two-year-old.
"If he ends up being as good as we think he is he could end up coming to America on a reverse shuttle."
Moynihan said a trainer for the colt will be decided in due course.
The colt was consigned by Yarraman Park Stud, manager Arthur Mitchell said the colt had blossomed during the sale preparation.
"He's always been a nice horse but he's just come on tremendously through the sale prep and then here on the grounds," Mitchell said.
"Every parade, every inspection he was a real professional.
"We knew he'd sell well but didn't think he'd make that much - we're happy to take it though!"
