Bidding on the half-brother to champion Second Empire opened at IRE£100,000 and quickly escalated before O'Byrne emerged on top of the bidding. "Second Empire was a good horse," O'Bryne said of the 1997 champion 2-year-old in Ireland. "This is his brother by the champion stallion. The horse of the sale."

The sale-topper was consigned by Kilcarn Stud.

During the morning session, O'Byrne went to IRE£550,000 to purchase a full brother to Sunday's group I Grand Criterium winner Rock of Gibraltar. Also a son of Danehill, the colt produced from Offshore Boom was consigned by Ashtown House Stud. "He is a grand horse and I thought we would have to pay more for him," O'Byrne said.

Another son of Danehill sold Wednesday returned a handsome profit for Abbeville & Meadowcourt Studs when he was bought by Peter Doyle for Ir£520,000. The bay colt had been purchased at Goffs November as a foal for IRE£125,000.

"I have bought him for an overseas client who wishes to remain anonymous. He is a very nice horse," Doyle said.