‘Unbelievable’ Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing wins £3.8MILLION battle with Coolmore for colt Frankel, leaving fans stunned
In the electrifying world of thoroughbred auctions, where fortunes change hands faster than a Derby sprint, Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing has pulled off what many are calling an “unbelievable” coup. Just 40 minutes into the opening session of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 on October 7, 2025, Joorabchian outbid the mighty Coolmore syndicate to secure a stunning Frankel colt for a jaw-dropping 3.6 million guineas—equivalent to approximately £3.78 million. The dramatic showdown, unfolding under the grand roof of Newmarket’s Tattersalls sales ring, left racing enthusiasts worldwide stunned, with social media ablaze and industry insiders whispering about a seismic shift in bloodstock power dynamics.
The colt in question, Lot 15, is no ordinary yearling. Sired by the legendary Frankel—the unbeaten champion whose progeny have dominated global racing for over a decade—he is a full brother to Partying, a filly Joorabchian himself snapped up for a record 4.4 million guineas at the same sale just 12 months prior. Bred and consigned by Newsells Park Stud, the bay colt hails from the winning Shamardal mare Aljazzi, a dual Group 2 victor including the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. His pedigree screams potential: Frankel’s explosive speed blended with Aljazzi’s proven stamina and class. Observers noted his impressive conformation—a strong, athletic frame with a fluent walk that turned heads during the pre-sale parade. “He’s the full package,” remarked one anonymous bidder post-sale. “Raw power with that Frankel elegance. If he takes after his sire, he’ll be rewriting record books.”
The bidding war was the stuff of racing folklore. From the outset, Joorabchian, the flamboyant Iranian-born football super-agent known for orchestrating transfers involving stars like Robinho and Carlos Tevez, positioned himself strategically near the spotter’s podium. Pacing with focused intensity, he locked eyes with auctioneer Mark Weitekamp as increments climbed relentlessly. On the opposing side stood the Coolmore powerhouse: MV Magnier, flanked by heavyweights like Paul Shanahan, Peter Brant, and Georg von Opel. Coolmore, the Irish juggernaut founded by the late Robert Sangster and now helmed by Magnier’s family, boasts a war chest funded by global champions like Galileo and Montjeu. Their syndicate of five partners versus Joorabchian’s solo strike made for a David-and-Goliath narrative that captivated the room.
Bids escalated in 200,000-guinea jumps, the tension palpable as the price rocketed past two million. At three million guineas, Joorabchian’s determined nod sealed the deal, drawing gasps from the packed auditorium. “We were up against Coolmore—five partners versus one,” Joorabchian admitted afterward, flashing his trademark grin. “I thought we paid a little more than expected, but this was the horse we wanted. An early strike, hopefully no more today.” True to his disciplined approach, he later backed out of a duel for a Sea The Stars colt at 3.7 million guineas, letting Godolphin claim it. Yet Amo wasn’t done; by session’s end, they’d added a 440,000-guinea Frankel colt and a handful of others, pushing their Day 1 tally to over £4 million.
For fans, the moment was pure theater. X (formerly Twitter) erupted with reactions: “Unbelievable! Kia just stared down Coolmore like it’s a pub league match,” tweeted one punter, while another quipped, “Frankel’s brother for £3.8m? That’s not buying a horse; that’s investing in a dynasty.” Racing forums buzzed with stunned admiration—Coolmore’s underbidding sting was a rare reversal for the operation that spends hundreds of millions annually. “It’s like watching a minnow school a shark,” posted a veteran bloodstock agent. The sale’s livestream peaked at over 50,000 viewers, with hashtags like #FrankelColt and #AmoVsCoolmore trending globally. Even casual followers, drawn by Joorabchian’s crossover fame from football’s glitzy transfer windows, flooded comments with memes of him as a horse-trading wizard.
Joorabchian’s audacious move underscores Amo Racing’s meteoric ascent. Launched in 2020, the operation has evolved from a boutique stable into a serious contender, amassing a roster trained by top names like Ralph Beckett, Charlie Appleby, and Adrian Murray. Hits like Group 1 winner Valiant Force and the promising Crypto Force (a Beresford Stakes scorer sidelined by injury) have whetted appetites, but Joorabchian dreams bigger. “We’re 30 or 40 years behind giants like Coolmore and Godolphin,” he told reporters, his voice laced with defiance. “They’ve got the stallions, the broodmares, the infrastructure. But ambition doesn’t wait. This colt? If he’s as good as we think, he’ll be a stallion prospect. We’re building for generations.”
The Frankel colt’s future is tantalizing. Partying, his yet-to-race sibling, holds immense broodmare value, but the pressure is on this bay powerhouse to hit the track running—likely in high-stakes juvenile contests next spring. Vets have cleared him with flying colors, and whispers suggest a Royal Ascot debut. Newsells Park’s Julian Dollar, who budgeted a “measly” half-million for the colt last December, beamed: “He came together beautifully. Beating Coolmore? That’s the cherry on top.” For Joorabchian, it’s validation of his “moneyball” strategy: blending sharp scouting with unyielding nerve.
As Tattersalls Book 1 rolls on—already boasting turnovers exceeding last year’s £140 million—the ripple effects of Lot 15’s sale linger. Amo’s aggressive spree continued into Day 2, claiming a 2.2 million-guinea Wootton Bassett half-brother to Crypto Force after another Coolmore skirmish, plus a 1.7 million Night of Thunder colt, ballooning their spend to nearly £12 million for eight yearlings. Coolmore, undeterred, countered with a 1.3 million Dubawi out of Nassau winner Lady Bowthorpe. Yet the narrative remains Joorabchian’s: the outsider turning the tables on aristocracy.
In an industry where blue bloodlines and deep pockets reign, this £3.8 million triumph feels like more than a purchase—it’s a statement. Fans, from Newmarket stables to global betting shops, are left stunned, eagerly awaiting the colt’s first thunder. As Joorabchian quipped, “If he’s a very good horse, he’s going to be a stallion.” For now, the racing world holds its breath, wondering if this “unbelievable” battle heralds Amo’s coronation.
