OBS Spring Sale a True International Marketplace

After seven days of juveniles taking to the polytrack during a marathon under tack show, the world's largest sale of 2-year-olds in training is set to begin April 19. Last year the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds-in-Training saw its sales topper, the brilliant Corniche , graduate and rattle off two grade 1 victories en route to being crowned the Eclipse Award champion 2-year-old male.

Initially, 1,231 horses were cataloged for the four days of selling, but as of Monday evening, there were 266 withdrawals leaving 965 horses slated to go under the hammer, beginning Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. ET. The first day of selling will include Hips 1-308. The sale will conclude on April 22.

"I'm always excited to see the catalog come out because the consignors have done a great job year after year bringing quality horses. They seem to bring a better horse every year, and this year is no exception," said OBS director of sales Tod Wojciechowski. "We were able to get out and see a few horses Sunday and Monday and are pleased with the quality of horseflesh on the grounds."

Buyers were were impressed with the speedy progeny from both established and freshman sires at the under tack shows, with multiple horses clocking top honors on their day.

"I thought for the seven days we got lucky with the weather. We only had one day where we had to delay for some time for rain. With our all-weather surface, we were right back at it after only a couple of hours delay with a nice fast racetrack," Wojciechowski commented. "We were happy with the breeze show, and we saw quality horses each day."

The sales grounds were busy with buyers making the rounds and narrowing in on select individuals at the top of their shortlist for Tuesday. A strong market was seen here in March at the OBS March Sale as well as at the select sale of 2-year-olds in training at the Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale.

"Our action at the barn has been great," David Scanlon of Scanlon Sales said. "We've come here with an excellent group of horses. The Spring Sale is our first sale of the year; these are our select horses, our best. I've been thrilled with the action we're seeing. We've been steadily busy the last two days from 7:30 a.m. on, and I'm happy with the action."

"This is a flagship sale," consignor Niall Brennan said. "People come from all over for this sale because there is a smorgasbord of horses for all different budgets. I think the strength of the market is excellent right now. (OBS) March was an excellent sale; Fasig-Tipton, although boutique, saw the horses that were in demand sell very well, and the sale in Europe (Tattersalls) was up, so I think the market is gravitating to the horses with pedigree. There is no shortage of people who want to buy quality. I think it will be a very good sale."

Fellow consignor Christy Whitman who sold two horses here in March, had a similar feeling going into Tuesday. 

"I think it's going to follow the trend. There is a lot of traffic and many people are here this year. March was insane, and there are many people here again," Whitman said. "The good horses will sell well, and hopefully, there are plenty of buyers here to support the middle market at the same time."

Last year during the four days of selling in April, 723 of the 833 horses on offer changed hands for gross receipts of $73,907,900. An average price of $102,224 was established along with a median price of $50,000. Tedhe 110 horses that failed to meet their reserve represented an RNA rate of 12%.

Two juveniles commanded a seven-figure price tag, the first was Corniche, a son of Quality Road   out of the graded stakes-winning mare Wasted Tears, who sold for $1.5 million out of the de Meric Sales consignment to Speedway Stables. Undefeated in three starts as a 2-year-old, he landed top-level scores in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) and TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1).

The second horse to break the seven-figure ceiling, a filly by the late sire Arrogate , sold for $1M to Japan's powerhouse Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm. She was consigned by Mayberry Farm and has been a winner in three starts overseas.

Cumulatively, bloodstock agent Donato Lanni purchased six horses in 2021 for gross receipts of $2,950,000 to be the sales leading buyer. Perennial leading consignor de Meric Sales impressively sold 40 of the 40 head on offer last year for final figures of $8,144,000 at an average price of $203,600.

"We had an outstanding sale in March, and we certainly hope that continues and don't see any reason why it shouldn't. There seems to still be a lot of pent-up demand for horses, for 2-year-olds, people who didn't get what they wanted in March or at other sales and it has resulted in a lot of activity on the grounds," Wojciechowski commented. "I think the amount of traffic bodes well for a good sale.

"This is the largest 2-year-old sale globally; it has become an international marketplace. If you look at our catalog cover horses, you see the one-two in the Saudi Cup (G1) (Emblem Road and Country Grammer ); we have horses winning worldwide. It's truly remarkable to see how this sale has evolved into an international market."