The tone for the first major mixed sale was set when the very first offering through the ring failed to receive a bid as the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s fall mixed sale got off to a slow start on Monday in Ocala.Through the first five hours of bidding, the highest-priced offering was $62,000 for Ayrial Delight, a nine-year-old multiple stakes winning daughter of Quick Dip in foal to graded stakes winner Halo's Image. Purchased by the Kentucky-based Ramspring Farm, Ayrial Delight is out of Krissy's J. J., by Tarter Chief, and earned $458,992 during her career.

The top-priced weanling during the early bidding was a Florida-bred colt from the first crop of Scatmandu purchased by Fogg Road Farm for $45,000. Consigned by Beth Bayer, agent, the colt, named Scatman Royal, is out of the Well Decorated mare Image Ofa Princess.

Consignors found selling extremely difficult during the early portion of the sale, which started the day after the American alliance led attacks on targets in Afghanistan.

"What can you expect with everything that is going on in the country?," said consignor Nancy Bauman.

"It's tough. I think the world situation is having a definite impact," said Summerfield's Barbara Vanlangendonck. "There are buyers here that $7,500 is two mortgage payments. They're hanging on to their money and I don't blame them."—John P. Sparkman

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