Seven-Figure Filly Fuels Strong Second Session at OBS

The action picked up April 24 during the second session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, with one juvenile breaking through the seven-figure barrier and double-digit gains in average and median prices.

OBS reported 171 horses sold for a total of $22,360,500 compared to 191 bringing $19,478,500 at the corresponding session a year ago. The average was $130,763, up 28.2% compared with $101,982 in 2018, while the median price was $80,000, up 45% compared to $55,000 a year ago. The buyback percentage was 21.6%; it was 17.7% in 2018.

From 608 cataloged for the first two sessions, OBS has sold 331 horses for gross receipts of $37,416,500, an average price of $113,041, and a $70,000 median price.

At the same juncture a year ago, 359 head averaged $98,558 on gross receipts of $35,382,500, with a $55,000 median.

Boosted by a larger buyer base than was present during Tuesday's opener, the Wednesday session had a more positive vibe throughout on a hot, sunny day in north central Florida, with the temperature in the 80s.

Although the average and median prices Tuesday represented increases over the comparable day a year ago, traffic in the barns was light and the action in the ring was spotty, with no individual reaching the $500,000 mark. The sale's start was two days after Easter Sunday.

Noting the difference in the stronger market between Tuesday and Wednesday, OBS director of sales Tod Wojciechowski said, "Maybe there was some people delayed in getting to the sale because of the Easter holiday. Also based on how the horses fall in the catalog (with sale order determined alphabetically by the individual horses' dam's first name), it's hard to predict what can happen on any given day."

On Wednesday, Wojciechowski noted, "There was a good energy and strong activity all day long, and all ranges. The bidding was very active."

To illustrate the depth of the market, the five horses sold for prices above $500,000 represented one fewer than the six sold at that level during last year's second session.

However, there were 16 transactions between $300,000 and $499,999 Wednesday, compared with four on Day 2 a year ago.

The session topper was a Quality Road  filly purchased by Emmanuel de Seroux of Narvick International for $1 million. Consigned as Hip 444 by de Meric Sales, the filly foaled April 8, 2017, is out of Paris Rose, the dam of grade 3 winner Decelerator and granddam of Nafaayes, a multiple group 2 winner in South Africa.

De Meric also hit with the second-highest price of the day, a Tiznow  colt purchased by Solis/Litt for $600,000. Consigned as Hip 321, the colt was bred in Kentucky by David Jacobs and the Tiznow Syndicate. He is a half brother to grade 1 winner Promises Fulfilled and graded stakes-placed Marquee Miss.

Third on the bid board was the $585,00 paid by Lael Stable for Hip 453, a Speightstown  colt consigned by Scanlon Training & Sales on behalf of Bruno DeBerdt's Excel Bloodstock. Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, the colt was produced from the Seeking the Gold mare Pay Lady and is a full brother to grade 1 winner Lighthouse Bay. He was purchased by DeBerdt and two longtime partners for $135,000 from Denali Stud, agent, at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

DeBerdt said he was not surprised by the colt's purchase price.

"I put a value somewhere between $500,000 and $700,000 on him," California-based DeBerdt said. "This horse deserved to bring that. He is an honest horse, and you're going to see a lot more of him."

DeBerdt said the colt had become more business-like and consistent since being acquired as a yearling. The colt breezed an eighth-mile in :09 4/5, co-fastest of the day's under tack show.

"He's been very consistent," DeBerdt said. "What he did during the preview work was not unexpected."

De Meric said Wednesday's results represented "a very healthy market, top to bottom. We led some pretty nice stock up there today that we were excited about before we got there. They were well received, and even some of the lesser lights sold very reasonably."

Buyer Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners said there was plenty to like in the OBS offerings.

"I think there are plenty of good horses to go around," Wellman said. "OBS does a good job of bringing in quality, and there seems to be some depth in the catalog this year."

Wellman said that attendance at the sale Wednesday was on par with previous sales.

"I don't think there are any fewer buyers lining up to inspect horses, bid on horses, or buy horses," he said. "The competition here is as intense as ever."

Consignor Barry Eisaman said the marketplace was essentially unchanged from where it's been the past couple of years.

"The nice horses are getting plenty of traffic (in the barn area), but anything considered average will get average traffic," he said.

Randy Miles said inspection action at his consignment had been non-stop Tuesday and Wednesday.

"My guys had to get new shoes yesterday," he said jokingly. "I hope that translates into action in the ring."

The auction continues through April 26, with sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET.