Bull Run Continues at OBS Spring Sale

Continuing the momentum from the previous day’s opening session, the Ocala Breeders’ Sales spring auction of 2-year-olds in training continued its bull run April 26, with strong increases in gross and average prices.

OBS reported 158 horses brought a total of $13,917,500, compared with 165 selling for a total of $12,323,500 at last year’s second session. The average price increased 18% to $88,085, compared with $74,688 in 2016, while the median price was $41,000, compared with $45,000 a year ago. The 53 horses that did not sell represented an RNA rate of 25.1%. It was 27.6% last year. Fourteen horses sold for $250,000 or more, compared with eight at the corresponding session in 2016.

From 604 head cataloged for the first two sessions, 171 juveniles were withdrawn, leaving 433 that have gone through the ring. The cumulative gross for 335 sold is $29,660,700, for an average price of $88,539 and a $50,000 median. At the same juncture of last year’s auction, 330 horses changed hands for $24,011,000, an average price of $72,761 and $45,000 median.

The day's top price and top price for the sale was the $850,000 paid for a Medaglia d'Oro   colt by a partnership consisting of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing, Bridlewood Farm, and Robert LaPenta.

MITCHELL: High Profile Owners Team Up to Buy Expensive Colt

On a seasonably pleasant, sunny day, there was competitive bidding for the most coveted lots at the top of the market, but also a deep buying bench for the offerings at levels below the top.

“There has been a vibrancy within the marketplace over the last two days, so obviously we are pleased,” said director of sales Tod Wojciechowski. “It seems good at all levels. Obviously the high end takes care of itself, so we’re pleased with the depth.”

The OBS executive said the company and most consignors were hopeful of a good sale coming in and the action so far is living up to their expectations.

“The horses prepped well on the track during the under tack shows, we felt good about the quality of the pedigrees in the catalog, and the activity in the barns was good leading up to the sale,” he said. “But a sale is a glass half-empty, half-full thing and we’re always hopeful.”

David McKathan of Grassroots Training and Sales said the April sale is one that he always points toward because the large number of juveniles cataloged attracts buyers at all price ranges.

“I think April is the most complete market we have among 2-year-old sales, other than the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale,” McKathan said after selling a First Samurai   colt for $540,000. “I bring horses that I intend to sell across the board."

Agent Paul Sharp, who sold the Medaglia d'Oro colt, was the day’s leading consignor, with four sold for gross receipts of $1,177,000.

The sale continues April 27 with a session that begins at 10:30 a.m. ET.