An unraced three-year-old by Siyouni, she is out of the Invincible Spirit mare Marraaseem, a half-sister to Shagah, a winner at two, runner-up in the Radley Stakes (L) and third in the May Hill Stakes (G3). Third dam is the Prix Vermeille (G1) winner Pearly Shells. (12:15)

She is a half-sister to two winners and out of the two-time winning Galileo mare Angels Story. She is a half-sister to Dunboyne Express (Dan Excel), a three-time Group 1 winner whose victories came in the International Cup at Kranji (twice) and the Champions Mile at Sha Tin, trained by John Moore. He was also placed once in the International Cup and twice placed in the Champions Mile.

In Ireland he won the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial (G3) when trained by Kevin Prendergast.

It is the further family of the Classic winners Love Divine and Sixties Icon. (12:14)

Today's bids will be taken over the internet and by telephone.

If you are interested in bidding on a lot, and are new to Live Internet Bidding, you must register with Tattersalls in advance of the sale. Your application will need to be authorised by the Tattersalls’ Accounts Department prior to activation. It is still possible to do that today.

Existing Tattersalls clients can bid by telephone via a member of the Tattersalls team, and those wishing to do so should download the Purchaser Authorisation form from the Tattersalls website stating that they wish to appoint “Tattersalls” to bid on their behalf, returning the completed form to accountsvp@tattersalls.com.

New buyers wishing to bid by telephone should first complete the Purchaser Registration form as well as the Purchaser Authorisation form and submit both to accountsvp@tattersalls.com.

Purchasers are advised to read carefully the updated Conditions of Sale and Guidance to Purchasers.

All forms and full details are available on the website on the Tattersalls February Sale overview page (09:13)

Lots catalogued: 7,964 (7,829)

Lots offered: 6,145 (6,120)

Lots sold: 5,236 (5,068)

Aggregate: 260,907,700gns (-14%)

Average: 49,830gns (-17) (11:00)

Lots catalogued: 2,215 (2,352)

Lots offered: 1,799 (1,900)

Lots sold: 1,485 (1,462)

Aggregate: 73,353,300gns (-20%)

Median: 20,000gns (-20%)

Average: 49,396gns (-21%)

% clearance: 83% ()

Lots catalogued: 1,108 (1,025)

Lots offered: 866 (812)

Lots sold: 735 (668)

Aggregate: 43,111,900gns (-25%)

Median: 20,000gns (-26%)

Average: 58,656gns (-32%)

400,000gns (cumulative)+: 15

200,000gns (cumulative)+: 53

% clearance: 85%

Top price: Lot 2005, Cressida (GB) 2017 b., f., sold by Juddmonte Farms, bought by White Birch Farm / Demi O'Byrne for 360,000gns

Leading purchasers (cumulative, by agg): 1. BBA Ireland, 2. MV Magnier, 3. Blandford Bloodstock

Leading consignors (cumulative, by agg): 1. The Castlebridge Consignment, 2. Juddmonte Farms, 3. Godolphin

Leading sires (cumulative, by agg): 1. Nayef, 2. Dansili, 3. Frankel

Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Nayef, 2. Redoute's Choice, 3. Night Of Thunder

Internet bids accepted: 1,637

Lots sold online: 136

Individual bidders: 75

Online underbidders: 128

476 lots with internet bids to 159 different bidders

Gross: 3,091,000gns ()

“Traditionally at the conclusion of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale we would reflect upon the level of trade, both at the December Sales and earlier sales, and also record our thanks and appreciation to all those who have contributed throughout the year. In this strangest of years our thanks to all concerned is an even more central message, but we should start by expressing heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the wider industry that the 2020 Tattersalls December Sales, Europe’s foremost foal and breeding stock sales, have been able to take place, under strict COVID-related protocols, on the advertised dates and with the minimum of disruption to the established cycle of the bloodstock sales season.

“We have been able to bring a testing sales season to a successful conclusion and for that we are enormously grateful. While the usual vibrance associated with this annual showcase of Europe’s finest breeding stock has, by necessity, been lacking, we have again been buoyed by the sustained resilience of the market and the extraordinary determination of buyers from throughout the world, who have contributed to yet another 2020 Tattersalls sale which has defied the prevailing social and economic uncertainty.

“In addition to the obvious issues, we were conscious that this year’s December Mares catalogue lacked a little of the depth of recent renewals, but nevertheless quality consignments from Britain, Ireland and France have attracted buyers from throughout the world who have been active at all levels of the market, as ever demonstrating the enduring appetite for quality European bloodstock.

"While the undoubted highlight of the week was the 2.2 million guineas sale of Highclere and Floors Studs’ outstanding broodmare Beach Frolic to M.V. Magnier, encouragement can also be taken from the consistent global participation, with buyers from America, France, Japan, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE all featuring amongst the leading buyers alongside new and established British and Irish investors.

“Buyers from throughout Europe, the Gulf region, Australasia, India, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan and Turkey have also been active and a particular feature of the sale has been the prolific use of the live internet bidding facility which has allowed so many buyers unable to attend in the usual manner to participate successfully. More than half of the lots offered this week have attracted internet bids and it has been notable that the online action has been at every level of the market, including the very top end.

“The implementation of the live internet bidding platform is a perfect illustration of how all involved in this industry have successfully adapted and responded to circumstances outside their control, as is the mutual cooperation with our counterparts at Goffs and Arqana which has allowed us all to adjust sales dates when needed. We have staged an unprecedented 16 sales at Park Paddocks since the end of June and after every one of them we have reflected on the admirable patience and determination which everyone has shown to overcome unprecedented obstacles.

"The world has been thrown into turmoil, but every single participant at our 2020 sales should be applauded for the manner in which they have accepted the demands presented by the global pandemic. Few will look back on the 2020 Tattersalls sales season with pleasure, but they can look back with pride and our thanks go to each and everyone who has contributed to a Tattersalls sales season of remarkable resilience." ()

Lots catalogued: 202 (145)

Lots offered: 133 (107)

Lots sold: 106 (74)

Aggregate: 538,200gns (94%)

Median: 3,000gns (20%)

Average: 5,077gns (35%)

Clearance rate: 80% (14:28)

"She is from an upcoming a family and is by Kingman, just thought we'd take punt," said Pocock. "She walks well, and she is from a two-year-old family and we are just trying to get more two-year-old types on the farm.

"We are just trying to invest some money back. We are very happy to have her, we don't have a stallion in mind as yet."

She was bred by Rabbah Bloodstock Limited, who has retained the filly's 2019 half-sister by Sea The Stars

Divine Queen is a half-sister to Second Generation (Dawn Approach), a Listed winner of the Prix des Reves d'Or, while their dam El Manati won once at two and finished third in the Cornwallis Stakes (G3).

Last week, Stringston sold seven foals for a turnover of 326,000gns, an average price of 46,571gns and with a top price of 62,000gns given for the Australia colt out of Bitooh (Lot 1097), bought by Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock / Aughamore Stud. (14:10)

According to Thorman, who was taking instructions off Howson via the telephone, Howson was a keen purchaser of the three-year-old filly, the winner of a two-year-old maiden.

"We've bought her for a French client," said Howson via telephone . "She was quite small but she has speed in the pedigree and that's what the client wanted. The Kodiac over Night Shift cross was very appealing too. I don't know who she'll be covered by yet, but she's going to be a broodmare and as she's heading to France she'll visit a stallion in Normandy."

Fingal Nights is also the dam of Moonlit Garden, the dam of two black-type performers. Her unraced two-year-old Motajarred (Siyouni) was bought as a yearling by Shadwell for 600,000gns. Shadwell also purchased the dam's 2020 yearling by Muhaarar for 110,000gns. (12:49)

The winner of two races at three, the seven-year-old mare is in-foal to Due Diligence. Her half-sister Queen Kahlua (Kingman) was bought yesterday by Galloway Stud for 160,000gns (Lot 1952). She stays in training and goes to Stuart Williams.

Far Abead (Farhh) has retired to stand at Starfield Stud. He won four of his five racecourse starts, his last time out success being the highlight, the son of Farhh winning the 5f Group 3 Palace House Stakes. (12:05)

Both are sold with covers to Highclere Stud's stallion Land Force

Angels Wings is the dam of one winner from one runner. She is by Dark Angel from the family of Mujahid.

Coin A Phrase by Dubawi is out of French Bid (Anabaa), a four-time winner in Australia, victories including the Swettenham Stakes (G2).

Land Force is a son of No Nay Never and won the Group 2 Richmond Stakes and finished fourth in the Prix Morny (G1). He stood 2020 for £6,500 and is due to stand at £5,000 next spring. (11:55)

Canyara, a Dansili half-sister to three black-type horses and out of the Group 3 winner Casanga (Rainbow Quest), is sold with an April cover to the popular young sire Time Test. She was bought by Pernilla Nilsson.

Her grand-dam Comprida was the dam of 12 winners from13 runners, including the Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Concepcion.

The Stalking Moon, a six-year-old mare by Arcano, a five-time winner from 37 starts and a half-sister to the Listed-placed Ghost Serge (Zebedee), goes to Creighton Schwartz Bloodstock.

"She will go to the breeding shed. She is a nice mare, walks well, tough and sound. She is for a client in Ireland," reported Josh Schwartz. (11:44)

She is out of the Listed-winning Alhaarth mare Birdie and a half-sister to the Providencia Stakes (G3) winner Hostess (Iffraaj) and to Salvation, dam of this autumn's dual Group 1 winner Wonderful Tonight (Le Havre).

It is also the family of Tarfah, the dam of Camelot (10:37)

She is a daughter of Waveband (Exceed And Excel), an own-sister to Bungle Inthejungle and a half-sister to Muarrab, Group 1 winner of the Golden Shaheen.

Rathasker Stud stands Bungle Inthejungle. his leading performer this year has been the King Power-owned two-year-old Winter Power, Listed winner and winner of the Group 3 5f Cornwallis Stakes. (09:51)

Lots catalogued: 286 (297)

Lots offered: 228 (231)

Lots sold: 200 (196)

Aggregate: 5,312,500gns (-11%)

Median: 14,000gns (0%)

Average: 26,562gns (-13%)

400,000gns (cumulative)+: 15

200,000gns (cumulative)+: 53

% clearance: 88%

Top price: Lot 2005, Cressida (GB) 2017 b., f., sold by Juddmonte Farms, bought by White Birch Farm / Demi O'Byrne for 360,000gns

Leading purchasers (cumulative, by agg): 1. BBA Ireland, 2. MV Magnier, 3. Blandford Bloodstock

Leading consignors (cumulative, by agg): 1. The Castlebridge Consignment, 2. Juddmonte Farms, 3. Godolphin

Leading sires (cumulative, by agg): 1. Nayef, 2. Dansili, 3. Frankel

Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Nayef, 2. Redoute's Choice, 3. Night of Thunder (19:16)

She was bought by Paddy Twomey to race on, the trainer will be hoping that he can achieve the same with as he did with the Sonaiyla – the daughter of Dark Angel was Group 1 placed subsequent to his purchase and sold yesterday for 900,000gns to Moyglare Stud (Lot 1717).

Stormy Girl has been something of a flagbearer for Menzies.

"She has been absolutely amazing for us, she has improved as the year has gone on," said Menzies. "Even over the last four weeks since we have backed off her she has improved physically, she has strengthened up a lot. There is loads more to come from her as a race mare, and she is going to make a brilliant broodmare further down the line. Somebody is going to have a lot of fun with her and a lot of success at a higher level."

Menzies explained how she came to have the filly in her care.

"Mike and Eileen Newbould of Stonebred Thoroughbreds have owned her, they have a lot of horses in training, mainly jumpers but they bought yearlings a few years ago. She has been the flagship horse," said the trainer, adding: "I can't over-stress what a lovely horse she has been to train, a straightforward horse, a very tough, hardy filly and she is going to be very good next year. Hopefully, we can go back to the sales and try and find another one!"

As for the reason to sell: "She got that black-type, there looks to be more to come and we thought she would be attractive with that pedigree. Obviously with the way she looks, I think everyone who saw her today absolutely loved her – she had multiple vettings."

All trainers regret losing a star in the yard, but Menzie is happy to take a realistic approach.

"We only have a small yard and she will leave a massive hole, but I am really looking forward to watching her. I will get a lot of pleasure out of watching her. It is a brilliant result for the owners, they are family orientated and their grand-daughter Beth has come down to watch her sell today; it is a very big day for them."

Buyer Paddy Twomey said: "She is a nice filly and looks to have progressive form and obviously she is by Night Of Thunder. Hopefully, we will have a campaign with her next year. She is for an existing owner. She has shown ability, she has been unlucky an odd time and she is a nice, big strong filly and the winter might help her improve."

Looking ahead, he added: "Her dam's sister has had a Group 1-winning two-year-old this year, it is deep pedigree and she has good residual value as a broodmare."

Since Stormy Girl was purchased as a yearling Night Of Thunder has emerged as a leading European young stallion and Tiger Tanaka, daughter of Miss Phillyjinks, won the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) in October. (18:25)

The whole draft this week sold 37 horses for a 3,378,500gns turnover, an average price of 91,311gns, a median of 65,000gns and a top price of 400,000gns. (17:42)

Dam Solar Pursuit is a half-sister to the Grade 1 and Group 1 winners – the Manhattan Handicap (G1) winner Meteor Storm and the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) winner Polish Summer.

Paul Harley Bloodstock spent 105,000gns on Tanita (Frankel). She is out of Shoal, a half-sister to Midday, the champion older mare in England in 2010, the winner of six Group 1 and Grade 1 races. She is dam of Midterm, who finished second in the Ribblesdale Stakes (G2). Under third dam are the Group 1 winners Elmaamul and Reams Of Verse.

"I would imagine she will go to Ireland to be covered and she will remain in Europe, possibly in France, but that’s undecided," said Harley. "She’ll go to a local stud for now while a covering is decided.

“This filly had a lot of quality, a great walk, plenty of depth and she’s just a beautiful broodmare prospect with a good page," "We’re excited to get her, especially after we have tried and failed so many times this week. It’s great to get a Juddmonte line – the opportunity doesn’t come up every week.” (17:21)

Bloodstock agent Steve Hillen, sat in the gods, was responsible for bidding.

"I have just acted for Henri Bozo of Ecurie des Monceaux. It is a good family, she is a nice Dubawi, and a good physical," said Hillen.

Emulous is an own-sister to the Group 3 winner First Sitting and the Listed winner Daring Diva. (17:12)

"She is a very nice physical and a great walker," said Demi O'Bryne, the docket signed on behalf of White Birch Farm / Demi O'Byrne.

This filly is closely related to Lot 2000 - this dam Modern Look (Zamindar) and Arabesque (Zafonic) being half-sisters.

She has been bought to visit new Coolmore stallion, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Sottsaas, who is part-owned by Brant of White Birch Farm. (17:04)

The final filly out of the mare to be offered this week is Brinjal (Kingman) and she is bought by MAB Agency for 190,000gns.

"It is just a lovely family, she has been bought for French breeder Haras d'Haspel, which is based in Normandy," explained Marc Antoine Berghgracht. "The farm started in the last two or three years, mainly commercial breeders. We just like her, the pedigree is very active with plenty of fillies it is a really moving pedigree – you expect the page to look different next year.

"We will think what we will do about stallions, we will probably ask Juddmonte what would be the suggestion!" (16:50)

"I thought we had her at 65,000gns!" smiled Tom Goffs of Blandford Bloodstock. "Oasis Dream is a fantastic broodmare sire, she is going to go and be a mummy straight way, the page speaks for itself. She will be going to Ireland." (16:38)

Annual is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner First Defence, and it is the family of Toussand, Empire Maker, Chester House and Chiselling.

Tony and Roger O'Callaghan said: "She is for Tally-Ho and will go to Kodiac – the pedigree deserves him and he deserves the pedigree."

Then with a wink and a laugh, Roger added: "We will see if we can speed up the pedigree!" (16:28)

River Rock, a 2017 filly by Fastnet Rock, is out of the Galileo mare Knocknagree, who was bred by Denis Brosnan out of Tyranny (Machiavellian). Knocknagree is a half-sister to the Group 1 winner and sire Zoffany, the Group 2 winner Rostropovich and the Group 3 winner Wilshire Boulevard. It is the further family of the good performers Dust Dancer and her daughter Spotlight.

Croom House sold River Rock as a yearling in the October Book 1 Yearling Sale of 2018, where she bought by Steven Hillen and Henri-Francois Devin on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid.

Sacred Dance was bred by Eminent Kind and as a yearling was consigned by Heatherwold Stud in the October Book 1 Sale. She was bought by Stroud Coleman and was trained for Godolphin by Charlie Appleby to win one race from three starts. She is from the Group 1 family of Flag Of Honour and Air Chief Marshal. (15:22)

"She will go to stud,," said Benoit when asked if there were a possibility the filly might race on into 2021. "I don't know who yet, but she will go to a nice proven stallion. Most of her family is in France and her dam is still young, she is at Monceaux.

"She could suit Siyouni and Sea The Stars will be a lovely broodmare sire. When her dam went through the ring, I tried to buy her but Mr Bozo was too strong! I have bought the daughter instead now – I don't know who the new owner is yet, I have to make a couple of phone calls!" smiled Benoit.

Queen Of The Sea's dam Knyazhna (Montjeu)is a half-sister to Sacred Life. He is by Siyouni and won the Prix Thomas Bryon (G3) at Saint-Cloud and the Listed Oceanport Stakes at Monmouth Park in the US. He was also stakes-placed on multiple occasions in the US and in France.

It is the further family of the champion stayer Rule Of Law and the Prestige Stakes (G3) winner Circle Of Gold (14:59)

"She will race next year, she is a lovely physical, and the fact that she was only beaten 4l by Earthlight gives a lot of encouragement. She is by Kingman, which is a big plus," said Thom. "Hopefully, in time she will come back to Galloway Stud and make a nice broodmare. She has been bought for a client."

That performance behind Earthlight came in the Prix Kistena (L) at Deauville in July. The filly won her maiden in May and picked up a conditions race in October.

She is a half-sister to the stakes winner and Winter Derby (G3) third Windhoek out of the Listed-placed Cape Cross mare Kahlua Kiss. (14:45)

She is from the family of the Group 3 winners Grand Ducal and Baisse, and the Australian Group 1 winner Best Of Days. (13:40)

The winner of one race and Listed fourth, she is carrying her first pregnancy to the Irish National Stud stallion National Defense.

"She is a lovely mare, she has an international pedigree and she I love Saham [her maternal grand-sire]".

Myth Creation's dam is the Grade 2 runner-up Mabadi, dam of Salai (Myboycharlie), a dual Listed winner in France and a Group 3 runner-up.

The family stretches to Ibn Bey, a champion three-year-old colt in Italy and a Group 1 winner in Ireland, Italy and Germany, and to Red Camellia, a joint champion two-year-old in 1996. (12:10)

Haafithah is out of Muhawalah (Nayef), an own-sister to Tamayuz, the dual Group 1 winner, and a half-sister to Thamarat. She is dam of Motamarris, winner of the Listed Grand Prix de Compiegne and placed third in the Prix du Jockey Club (G1), the Listed placed Riqa, who is dam of the Group 3 winner Tantheem, and Wadyhatta, dam of Santiago. The son of Authorized is this year's Irish Derby (G1) winner and Goodwood Cup (G1) third.

Third dam is Allez Les Trois, the dam of three stakes winners, including Anabaa Blue, winner of the Prix du Jockey Club (G1), and ancestress of Mustajeeb, third in the Irish 2,000 Guineas (G1), and Half Light, second in the Prix Rothschild (G1). (11:28)

She is already dam of a stakes winner, the Ballycorus Stakes (G3) winner Convergence, and is a half-sister to Matterhorn, the Group 1 winner of the Al Maktoum Challenge, Bangkok, winner of this year's Winter Derby Trial (L) and third in the Winter Derby (G3), and to Mujarah, dam of the French champion three-year-old miler of 2016 and the European 2017 older miler, Ribchester.

She was covered by Muhaarar on March 31. She has an Awtaad yearling and an Oasis Dream foal. (10:53)

"She is going to go to America, to Kentucky, we liked her. She ought to be nice horse over the winter and on from there, she goes to Eddie Kenneally," said purchaser Lincoln Collins. "She won nicely last week, two seconds faster than the other division. Hopefully she is progressive, I was happy to buy her for that sort of money."

After last week's success for trainer Hugo Palmer, the Timeform post-race comment said: "Could be called the winner a long way out; led, shaken up over 2f out, drew clear, pushed out; she didn't fail for stamina over 1m last time, but is speedily bred and it wouldn't be a surprise if this trip and perhaps 6f proved her optimum."

Bred by The Stroll Patrol Partnership out of Stroll Patrol, who finished third in the Dick Poole Stakes (G3), from the family of Grade 1 winner Stroll and Group 1 runner-up Lady In Waiting. (10:31)

This day last year saw 196 horses sold for a turnover of 5,991,300gns, a median price of 14,000gns and an average price of 30,568gns.

The top price was 750,000gns. (09:15)

Lots catalogued: 295 (286)

Lots offered: 235 (225)

Lots sold: 186 (183)

Aggregate: 24,969,000gns (-30%)

Median: 60,000gns (-33%)

Average: 134,242gns (-31%)

400,000gns (cumulative)+: 15

200,000gns (cumulative)+: 51

% clearance: 79%

Top price: Lot 1731, Beach Frolic 2011, ch,m. Nayef ex Night Frolic, sold by Highclere Stud to MV Magnier for 2.2 million guineas

Leading purchasers (cumulative, by agg): 1. MV Magnier, 2. BBA Ireland, 3. Katsumi Yoshida

Leading consignors (cumulative, by agg): 1. The Castlebridge Consignment, 2. European Sales Management, 3. Highclere Stud

Leading sires (cumulative, by agg): 1. Nayef, 2. Dansili, 3. Galileo

Leading sires (by av, two or more sold): 1. Nayef, 2. Raven’s Pass 3. Equiano (21:14)

She is a 106-rated half-sister to the Group 1 winners Tangerine Trees (Mind Games) and Alpha Delphini (Captain Gerrard) out of Easy To Imagine (Cozzene). She was bred by Marie Matthews, raced by the Hot ToTrot syndicate. and trained by Henry Candy.

"We are delighted to get her, she is a Group 3 and Listed winner out of a fantastic mare," said purchaser Charlie Vigors of Hillwood Stud. "When you take into account the stallions that Easy To Imagine has been too, like for like, she has to be one of the best producers of recent times. No disrespect to the stallions she has been to, but the thing to stress, when you allow what she has been to, she is far outperforming. We are delighted to get her daughter Kurious and surprised that we have – we had to stretch a bit!"

Of Kurious's new ownership details, Vigors outlined: "She is for the same clients who sold the Lope De Vegas well at the October yearling sales. They are British based and have reinvested. We will see how the spring unfolds before we decided upon stallions."

The good Lope De Vega results at the October sales for Hillwood included the sale of Lot 320, a colt out of Moi Meme sold to Godolphin for 900,00gns, Lot 2, a filly out of Yarrow sold to White Birch Farm / Demi O'Byrne for 220,000gns, and the sale of Lot 1010, a colt out of Moderah bought by Andrew Sime for 100,000gns. (19:39)

Julian Dollar kicked the bidding off at 1 million guineas, and bids came from around the ring, as well as online, but Magnier, standing outside, was the successful purchaser.

"She is a lovely mare and she has already bred an exceptional racehorse, the yearling by Highland Reel that Jamie McCalmont bought is very nice horse, too,"said Magnier. "She is a special mare, they don't come up very often. Palace Pier is a very special horse, an exceptional horse – she is a good producer. I would say that we will cover her with Galileo.

"Incredible the involvement from Floors and it is great to hear that they are keeping some mares, let's hope they have plenty of success again. I would also just like to say what amazing job Lady Carolyn Warren has done all the way through with this mare," added Magnier.

Lady Carolyn was quite emotional when chatting after the sale.

"I am not normally emotional, but she was such an amazing mare and it has been such a story and long journey, John bought her grandmother Miss D'Ouilly for very little [50,000gns, December Mares 2000] . The family has just given us so much pleasure, we just hope for Coolmore and the team that she will do it for them, that she will produce for them a champion, I am sure she will," said Lady Carolyn.

Of the decision to sell, the death of part-owner the Duke Of Roxburghe of Floors Stud was influential.

"It was a little bit of coming to the end of an era, we have been so closely involved with Floors for 35 years," said John Warren. "This whole week has been really poignant, the wrapping up of most of it, but I am really pleased that the Duchess and her son George are carrying on with a few nice mares.

"We had a very close friendship with the Duke, it is a bit beyond the horses," outlined Warren, with Lady Carolyn adding: "He and my father will be having jolly good time of it up in the sky!"

Finally Warren credited the mare, who was sold in-foal to Blue Point, herself. "She is a magnificent mare, she stood up in her own right, she is a collectors' item in so many ways."

And Lady Carolyn thanked the staff at Highclere. "For all the team at Highclere, who do such an amazing job, day in day out, these are the great days but behind it is every morning, all the care and all the attention. She looked magnificent, this is for everybody."

The sale was the third two million plus lot sold by Highclere Stud and its second top-priced transaction behind the sale of Hanky Panky (Galileo) for 2.7 million guineas to John Ferguson in 2011. Since 1998, Highclere has sold eight millionaires at Tattersalls. (19:07)

"I didn't really think we'd get her!"laughed Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock. "We went a long way on her last year, we thought she was a stand-out from the Juddmonte draft last year. She has come back in-foal to a very exciting stallion.

"Mares such as this they come on the market rarely. It is a phenomenal family – there was a Grade 1 winner in America the other day right down the bottom of the page, and Time Test is a young stallion I have got a lot of time for, it is a very active pedigree and I am delighted."

Brown added: "She has been bought for a partnership, and she will live at Fittocks Stud. We knew she was going to be hard to buy, so we put a partnership together made up of some British-based owner-breeders."

Time Saver is a half-sister to the Group 1 winners Timepiece and Passage Of Time, who is the dam of the Group 2 winner Time Test. She is also a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Father Time and the Listed winner Continuum. (19:00)