Prices fell as swiftly as the bombs rained down on Afghanistan during the opening session the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s fall mixed sale in Ocala, on Monday. With a higher number of withdrawals than usual in the face of the relatively low number of buyers on hand, only 204 of 374 horses cataloged were sold for $2,247,800, a 14.1% decline from the same session last year. Average plummeted 30.9% to $11,019. At the same session last year, 163 horses were sold for $2,599,200.

Ramspring Farm paid the highest price of the first session, going to $62,000 for the nine-year-old stakes winning broodmare Ayrial Delight, carrying her second foal by Halo's Image. A daughter of the Vigors stallion Quick Dip and out of Krissy's J. J., by Tartar Chief, Ayrial Delight earned $458,992 for 18 wins, including two victories in the A. P. Indy Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. Ayrial's Delight was consigned by Nancy Bauman, agent.

"What can you expect with everything that's going on in the country," Bauman said of the price.

The expected session topper, Buck Pond Farm's Silver Hiawatha, a 13-year-old Silver Buck mare in foal to Thunder Gulch, failed to meet her reserve on a final bid of $124,000.

The session's highest-priced weanling was Kellie Creek Farm's bay filly by Valid Expectations out of My Jean, by Time for a Change, purchased for $55,000 by The Lads, agent.

"It's a little tough," said Tom Ventura, OBSC's general manager and director of sales. "The supply of lower end horses is just way ahead of demand. We saw it coming—with the tragedy of the World Trade Center and the war today in Afghanistan, everybody is a little nervous."

The sale continues with the second of two consignor preferred sessions at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday.—John P. Sparkman

For complete results, access the OBSC Web site at http://www.obssales.com