The highest price ever paid in the world for a yearling was seen at Newmarket at the latest Tattersalls sale.

The daughter of champion sire, Galileo, and Breeders’ Cup winner, Dank, sold for four million guineas.

A guinea is worth £1.05.

Trainer John Gosden on behalf of Godolphin Racing, said: “She is from a proper owner-breeder and was clearly an obvious one to go for, and obviously lots of people wanted her.

“She is an outstanding filly and to produce one like her - particularly a first foal – is an incredible achievement, it is not easy to do: fillies do have both racing and breeding options.”

Following the sale, breeder James Wigan commented: “She is a beautiful filly and has been from the start. I am delighted where she has gone. “As she was so lovely from the beginning we decided to sell her as a yearling because you are limited to how much they can ever make if you sell as a foal,” he added.

“Dank has had another filly by Galileo this spring and we also wanted to make sure that she arrived fit and healthy before selling Gloam. This spring foal will not be sold!”

A spokesman for Tattersalls October yearling event said: “Business continued in remarkable fashion with a further five lots realising million guineas sales, taking the sale total to 17 – almost double last year’s total.

“Sale turnover was an unprecedented 102,290,000 guineas, up 16 per cent on last year’s record whilst average and median rose 29 per cent and 27 per cent to 293,095 guineas and 165,000 guineas respectively – both records.”