THE North-East's latest sporting superstar has arrived carrying a record price tag for its first meeting with its mystery owner.

An unnamed Newcastle businessman caused a sensation in the racing world on Thursday by paying the biggest-ever price for a jumps horse at public auction.

Even though he has never seen the promising four-year-old Royal Rosa, he spent 340,000 guineas (£357,000) buying the horse at the Doncaster Spring Sale.

All that is known about the owner is that he is a Newcastle United fan and Royal Rosa is his first horse.

It will be stabled at Crook, County Durham, with National Hunt trainer Howard Johnson, who picked out the horse for his client.

Mr Johnson's owners already include Alan Shearer, and he expects French-bred Royal Rosa to race in the Magpie's familiar black and white.

After spending such a huge amount he has high hopes for the latest addition to his stable, which could make its debut over jumps at Newcastle in November.

The horse already has three wins to its credit, including the £50,000 Grade 1 Paddy Power Champion 1NH Flat Race at the Punchestown Festival, in Ireland.

The sale brought a huge pay-day for its previous owners, the 140-strong syndicate Million in Mind, which also sold novice chaser Joly Bey for 240,000 guineas.

Mr Johnson said: "All I can say about the owner is that he is a big fan of Newcastle United, even though he has no direct connection with the club.

"He hopes to see the horse for the first time this weekend.

"He wasn't at the sale because he was in London on business, but he was delighted when I managed to get through to him on the phone.

"He had asked me to find him a nice horse which could bring some silverware to Newcastle.

"When I told him about Royal Rosa he told me to buy him. He is a nice dark chestnut and he looks lovely.

"He'll go out to grass for three months before he starts work."