THE winner of one of Redcar’s most prestigious races has gone on to be a star in the sales ring.

I’m A Gambler, the highly progressive winner of the Guisborough Stakes earlier this month, topped day two of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training at 850,000 guineas.

The three-year-old son of No Nay Never was an impressive winner of the seven furlongs listed race in the hands of Franny Norton for Middleham father and son team Charlie and Mark Johnston.

The gelding won in the colours of John Brown and Megan Dennis, comfortably beating the James Horton-trained Rhythm Master, owned by John and Jess Dance.

Mr Brown, who went from teaboy to chairman at William Hill before retiring, said after the race that he thought there was still more to come from the horse.

The Guisborough Stakes was I’m A Gambler’s sixth victory of the season, having won a handicap at Leopardstown on his previous outing. In all, he raced 24 times for the Johnston yard, winning nine times.

He was bought by Tim Cohen, from Californian operation, Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal, after a bidding battle culminating with Saud Al Qahtani, on behalf of the Saudi Arabian Najd Stud.

Cohen described the purchase as “physically beautiful and a quality individual”, adding that he could be aimed at remaining stakes races in California this season before having a break.

Charlie Johnston thought the horse might fetch half a million on a good day and, despite being sad to lose him from the yard, declared that it was outstanding business for the owners. The Johnston team had bought him for just £47,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale.

I'm a Gambler's dam, We Are Ninety, is out of a Sadler's Wells sister to Group 1-winning two-year-olds Listen and Sequoyah.