Tapit Colt Sells for $1.7M to Top Day Three of OBS

Day Three of the Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training at Ocala Breeders' Sales recorded a record gross of $23,658,000, eclipsing last year's gross by 59%. The day was headlined by a son of prominent sire Tapit  , who sold for $1.7 million to the potent partnership of Lane's End Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds.

A high median trending at $65,000 shows the strength and demand seen in middle-market horses, which was last seen in 2019 at $75,000 on the second day of selling. Thursday, 37 juveniles commanded over $200,000, with 13 of those horses going over $400,000.

Cumulatively over the past three days of selling, OBS reported 538 horses sold from 637 through the ring for an average of $135,343 over $98,406 last year, a $70,000 median ($47,000 in 2021), and gross receipts of $72,814,500 versus $54,811,900. The RNA rate for the 99 horses that have gone unsold over the past three days is at 15.5%, compared to a 12.4% RNA rate for 79 unsold in 2021.

OBS reported 173 horses sold Thursday of the 206 on offer, for gross receipts of $23,658,000, an increase of 59% from 2021. A median price of $65,000 was achieved, and an average of $136,751 was established. There were 33 horses who failed to meet their reserve to represent an RNA rate of 16%. Numbers reported Thursday may change due to post-sale reporting.

At this point last year, 166 horses changed hands of the 191 on offer for total receipts of $14,819,500, at a median price of $46,000 and an average of $89,274. An RNA rate of 13% represents the 25 horses that failed to meet their reserve. These figures include post-sale prices.

Six juveniles passed the $500,000 mark on the third selling day, with one individual breaking the seven-figure ceiling.

Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan, who secured two juveniles in the six-figure range Thursday, including the Justify   filly (Hip 762) for Klaravich Stables at $450,000, said, "Any nice physical that walks in the ring is selling well; the freshman sires are selling like crazy." 

Trainer Keith Desormeaux, who came to Florida to purchase horses for client Ben Gase, including a $400,000 Twirling Candy   filly (Hip 641) today, commented, "I bought one on the first day for $90,000; it's the same old cliché, the good ones are hard, everyone is after the good ones. It seems like the middle market is strong. Congratulations to OBS; they are doing a great job."

Niall Brennan, the second leading consignor Thursday, after selling six head for a gross of $2,382,000, commented on the market as solid through Day Three.

"The market is excellent still. People are focused on quality; I think they do their homework and anything that is genuinely very nice and shows up that way on the racetrack if they vet well, they are selling well," Brennan said. "You have to jump through a lot of hoops; it's getting tougher and tougher and you are exposed at the 2-year-old market, but when you get through everything, you are well-rewarded."

At the close of Thursday's action, Eddie Woods was the day's leading consignor, with seven horses sold for gross receipts of $3,005,000 at an average price of $429,285.

Lane's End Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds led the day as the leading buyer with their seven-figure purchase of the Tapit colt for $1.7 million.

The sale concludes Friday with Hips 925-1231 slated to go under the hammer, beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET.