Ramruma, winner of the Epsom Oaks (Eng-I), Irish Oaks (Ire-I) and Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-I) in 1999, became the most-expensive broodmare sold in a European auction ring Tuesday when bought for 2.1 million guineas (about US$3,813,327) by Coolmore supremo John Magnier at the Tattersalls December sale in Newmarket, England. The 7-year-old daughter of Diesis--Princess of Man formed part of a dispersal from the late Prince Fahd Salman's Newgate Stud which contributed towards a sensational day's business which saw turnover leap by 40% to 15,363,000 guineas ($27,897,211), the average of 81,718 guineas (($148,389)) increase by 49% and the 35,500 guineas ($64,464) median rise by 18% Bidding on Ramruma, who is in foal to Machiavellian, kicked off at 200,000 guineas with Penny Barnes, who acts for Peter Goulandris's Hesmonds Stud and Lodge Park Stud owner Seamus Burns both making brave attempts to get her. But the final three protagonists were agent Charlie Gordon-Watson, Hamdan Al Maktoum's racing manager Angus Gold, who joined in at 1.6 million guineas, and Magnier, who showed his interest at 1.8 million guineas. "She did the three things, so (she) is quite unusual in that respect," said Magnier, referring to the champion mare's Oaks treble. "She was sent once to Sadler‚s Wells when she didn't get in foal so we'll send her back to him again." The Salman draft, consigned through Ted Voute, realized a total of 5,305,000 ($9,633,748) guineas with the other seven-figure transaction coming when John Ferguson, representing Sheikh Mohammed, outbid first Joss Collins and then Charlie Gordon-Watson, acting for Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber, to pay 1.3 million guineas ($2,360,768) for the grade II winner Midnight Line. A U.S.-bred 8-year-old daughter of Kris S--Midnight Air, Midnight Line won the Long Island Handicap )gr. II) and was multiple group III winner in Europe.The Marchise Giacinto Gugliemi, owner of the San Agostino E Vulci stud in Italy, earlier paid 725,000 guineas ($1,316,581) through Derby Bloodstock for Second Burst, a three-parts sister to Lit De Justice in foal to Machiavellian. Adrian Nicoll of BBA Ireland was underbidder.
The sale continues Wednesday, when a dispersal from Wafic Said, including Oaks winner Lady Carla.
