Don't ever underestimate the strength of the Irish resolve.
Tom Magnier displayed it when he paid $1,975,000 for a Fastnet Rock-Celebria colt at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sales in South Auckland yesterday.
The sale eclipsed the $1.7 million top-of-the-sale price for a Fastnet Rock colt at last year's sale.
But Mr Magnier showed plenty of grit in an electric bidding duel with Black Caviar's Australian trainer, Peter Moody.
Mr Moody stalked Mr Magnier all the way from when Te Akau's David Ellis dropped out at $1.3 million.