Racing has 17 new ‘millionaire horses’ after world leaders, billionaires and celebrities splashed the money

Racing has 17 ‘millionaire horses’ after world leaders, billionaires and celebrities splashed the cash in a bid to find a winner. More than 1,800 of the sport of kings’ hottest prospects were sold for £133m in just 72 hours at auctioneer Tattersalls’ thoroughbred sales in Newmarket.

Of those an elite 17 were snapped up for seven figures plus at the No1 horse-fest on the planet.

The one-year-olds have never set hoof on a track.

But they are seen as racing certs for glory sired by

champions such as Frankel – who retired undefeated rated the sport’s GOAT – and Galileo who romped home in the Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes before becoming the world’s most desired stud.

Over the next few years the new horse millionaires are tipped to compete for the world’s biggest flat races – including The Derby, the Ascot Gold Cup, the Oaks, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas and the St Leger.

United Arab Emirates Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum alone shelled out £28m in three days on 25 horses for his Godolphin stable – nine of which cost £1m-plus.

The Dubai ruler’s most expensive purchase fetched the highest price of any horse in European history.

‘Lot 130’ – as he is currently known – set back the Middle East ruler by £4.8m.

The chestnut colt’s dad was 2014 2000 Guineas winner Night of Thunder who himself hailed from one of the Sheikh’s all-time favourite horses Dubai Millennium.

The Brit-bred horse won the Dubai World Cup before tragically dying aged just five from grass sickness – an equine ailment caused by eating bacteria-infected food which paralyses the digestive tract and causes nerve damage.

Bloodstock expert Richard Brown, who himself bought a horse at the sales for £1.4m, said: “The top end of this week has been exceptional.

“International people from every corner of the globe have been here competing to buy British and Irish thoroughbreds, and that’s what’s driving that top.

“We’re very lucky that there’s people with big pockets who are willing to come and play.”

Despite a line of pristine Bentleys in the car park there were few signs the crowd included many of the world’s super rich.

Most folk were dressed in jeans, sweatshirts and baseball caps. One sported bright red shorts.

Sheikh Mohammed, 77, rolled up in a green tracksuit and white trainers.

Others hunting for a winner included footballer-turned-racing trainer Michael Owen, triple champion jockey Ryan Moore and King Charles III ’s racing manager John Warren.

Shirley Anderson-Jolag, Tattersalls’ first female auctioneer, a former opera singer, said: “Not much beats this for pure drama.

“When huge sums of money are being bid the entire place goes silent. All you can hear is the sounds of the horses’ hooves in the parade ring.

“Then as the winner is recognised there is this sudden murmur of excitement and realisation something extraordinary has just happened.

“It all adds up to a memorable day out particularly for those who have made millions and – I imagine – spent millions.”

Tattersalls’ managing director Matthew Prior said the sale had become the ‘focus’ of the international horse world and welcomed a ‘truly global audience’ to see the ‘cream of the crop’.

He said there had been an ‘unprecedented number of North American buyers’ who had helped create a ‘vibrant atmosphere’.

“We now look forward with a degree of optimism,” he added.