The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's (OBSC) fall mixed sale wrapped up on Thursday with sharp declines in gross and average.A total of 838 horses were reported sold for a total of $6,210,700, down 56.3% from last year's total of $14,225,000 for 1,109 horses sold. Last year's sale included dispersals from Mockingbird Farm, the estate of Fred Hooper, and Locust Valley Corp. and Farnsworth Farms. Average price at the four-day sale dropped 42%, from $12,827 in 2000 to $7,411 this year.

Valid Storm, a seven-year-old daughter of Valid Appeal believed to be in foal to Relaunch stallion Slew Gin Fizz, brought $19,000 from Our Sugar Bear Stable to top the final session of the sale on Thursday.

A total of 220 horses were sold during the final session for $774,800, up 8.8% from the corresponding session last year when 160 horses brought $706,400. The average price fell 25.4% to $3,522 compared with $4,415 in 2000.

During the two-day open session, 430 horses were sold for a total of $1,717,600, down 9.1% from last year when 372 horses brought total receipts of $1,873,500. The average price dipped 26.1% to $3,994 from $5,036 and the buyback rate was down to 25.8% from 27.7% in 2000.

Consigned by Kelli Mitchell, agent, the session topper is out of the Storm Bird mare Storm o' Fire. Valid Storm's first foal, three-year-old Spankstress, by Crafty Prospector, was a juvenile winner and has placed this year.

Korea's C & C International Trading was the leading buyer at the four-day sale, which included two consignor-preferred sessions on Monday and Tuesday, with 35 horses totaling $330,000. Heiligbrodt Racing Stable was next with 16 purchases for $253,400.

Complete results are available on the OBSC Web Site at

http://www.obssales.com/