As the hammer fell at a bid for 1 million Euros (or $1.19 million) for the 3-year-old colt Hede Darling at the Osarus Trot Sale in France Friday afternoon (Aug. 28), many thought it was a new European record at a mixed sale.

Immediately there was some confusion, as the sale was first recognized as a buyback, but later it was revealed that an agent, Franck Amaar, had bought Hede Darling. However, that was not correct and Hede Darling, owned by legendary Jean Pierre Dubois, was not sold.

Hede Darling, who is sired by Password, has won four races this year and in his last race at Enghien he was timed in 1:54 over the mile.

Instead of 1 million Euros, the top price at the sale was 330,000 Euros paid for another 3-year-old colt, He and Me (sired by Bird Parker).