OBS Spring Sale Concludes With Across-the-Board Records

Spurred by a diverse group of international and domestic buyers active at all levels of the market, the Ocala Breeders’ Sales spring sale of 2-year-olds in training came to an end April 28 with records set in key statistical categories.

From 1,208 horses cataloged, there were 391 head withdrawn. OBS reported 678 horses grossed a sale record $61,185,900, compared with 659 juveniles bringing $52,010,500 a year ago. The sale surpassed the previous mark of $56,965,000 set in 2014.

The average price was a sale record $90,245, up 14.3% from $78,923, and far ahead of the previous mark of $79,068 set in 2015.

The median was a record $48,000, which surpassed the $47,000 a year ago. The 139 horses that did not sell represented an RNA rate of 17%. It was 22.7% a year ago. Sixty horses brought $250,000 or more compared to 40 in 2016.

Topped by a Creative Cause   filly bought by trainer Linda Rice on behalf of Kaitar Racing for $850,000 from Tom McCrocklin, agent, the finale saw 143 horses sold for $13,152,200, down 6.1% from the $14,012,000 total paid in 2016 for 165 head. The session average rose 8.3%, from $84,921 to $91,973, and the buyback percentage was 23.5%, compared with 16.2% a year ago. Fourteen horses sold for $250,000 or more, compared with 11 in 2016.

"It was very exciting to be a part of it," said OBS sales director Tod Wojciechowski. "It has already established itself as the most international 2-year-old sale in the world. It grows every year. Horses that come out of here have proven themselves on the track and people appreciate that. Ultimately they want to go where they can buy a good horse."

Wojciechowski said the strength of the auction bodes well for the sales company's next juvenile sale, set for June 13-15.

"I ran into buyers who said it was difficult (to buy) and they would see us in June, so I definitely think it will help us," he said.

The sale was highlighted by a Tiznow   colt purchased by John Moynihan for a record $2.45 million on behalf of Coolmore's M.V. Magnier during a blockbuster Thursday session. Consigned by Bobby Dodd and Brad Grady's Grand Oaks, the colt's purchase price surpassed the previous OBS April record of $1.9 million fetched by the Tapit   filly Inheritance in 2015.

Sharing the sale's second-highest price of $1 million were a Union Rags   colt and a More Than Ready   filly, both sold April 27.

The Union Rags colt was purchased by Red Barons Barn and Rancho Temescal from the Paul Sharp consignment, and the dark bay or brown daughter of More Than Ready was offered by Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree and purchased by Alessandro Marconi for Al Aasfa Racing.

The April sale followed other 2-year-old sales over the past two years, in which buyers were willing to pay a premium for horses perceived to be the best, but was also noteworthy for the breadth of market, with stiff competition at all levels.

"The depth of the market has been very important," said OBS president Tom Ventura. "The upper end has been strong throughout the season, and this has been a true test of the middle market. There have been more trainers here from regional racetracks buying horses, and that's been a positive."

Ventura said it was also significant that some consignors, including those not often at the top of the market, scored major successes over the course of the week.

"Our consignors are very sharp horsemen and they took advantage of some of the low-end prices for yearlings and bought some athletes for reasonable prices, put them through their early training here, and it's turned out well for them," Ventura said.

Sellers and buyers agreed the sale was strong, boding well for the additional sales left in the 2-year-old season, as well as the late summer and fall yearling sales, where many of the 2-year-olds are scooped up by pinhookers.

"The bottom market has been strong, the middle has been strong, and the top of the market has been strong," said Torie Gladwell, who with husband Jimbo operate Top Line Sales.

"For what he had, we're very pleased with the market," said David O'Farrell, whose family's Ocala Stud sells only at OBS. "It's still tough in spots, but last year the market was much tougher for middle-market horses. Even at the bottom end, there was spirited bidding on some of those horses. I think it bodes well for 2-year-old sales going forward and for the yearling sales."

"It's as strong as I've seen the April sale in a long time," said trainer Jeff Mullins, who went to $525,000 to acquire an Awesome Again   filly on behalf of Michael Cannon's Cannon Thoroughbreds from the consignment of Q Bar J Thoroughbreds. "We've been outbid quite a few times."

With the crowd definitely thinner Friday than earlier in the week, more buying opportunities presented themselves to some who found it hard to get what they wanted, according to agent Dennis O'Neill.

"It's been shocking to say the least," O'Neill said of the strength of the market, especially at the top end. "It seems like today it's been more realistic. I think the yearling sales should be really good now that pinhookers have more money."

Wavertree was leading consignor, with 36 horses sold for $4,085,000, followed by de Meric Sales, with $3,527,200 in receipts for 40 sold.

With the single purchase, Moynihan was leading buyer, at $2.45 million, followed by Rice's six purchases for $1,685,000.