by Pete Denk

The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. reported double-digit declines in total sales, average price, and median on day two of the August yearling sale.

Tuesday was the first of three open sessions and followed Monday’s selected yearling session, which posted a 40.3% decline in total sales and a 42.5% buy-back rate.

OBSC reported 204 horses from 327 offered as sold during the second session for total sales of $2,334,500, an 18.3% decline compared with the first open session last year, when 45 fewer horses were offered.

Average price declined 12.7% to $11,444, and the median dropped 30% to $5,600. Tuesday’s buy-back rate was 37.6%, compared with 22.7% a year ago.

“The numbers were off from last year, but it certainly wasn’t unexpected based on what’s been happening. You have to think people are tightening up as a reflection of what’s happening with the economy,” said Tom Ventura, director of sales for OBSC. “I think we’ve got spoiled a little bit over the last several years as everything was going up or at least holding its own and the buy-back rates were relatively low. We’re seeing a little bit of a correction, but I don’t think the sky is falling.”

Ocala-based pinhooker Eddie Woods purchased the $100,000 session topper, a Western Pride filly out of stakes winner So Much More, by Chimes Band. Woods said he purchased the filly on behalf of a client and would point her to a two-year-old sale while keeping her racing options open.

“She was a good-looking filly with a really strong female family behind her,” Woods said. “The stallion wouldn’t hit everyone’s chart, but he was a really good racehorse.”

Leprechaun Racing, agent, went to $80,000 for a Hennessy colt, the highest-priced colt and second highest-priced yearling overall on Tuesday. Consigned by Thoroughstock, agent, the colt is the first foal out of the winning Afternoon Deelites mare Stephanootz, a half sister to Grade 1 winner Lion Tamer.

Summerfield led all consignors in total sales for the second straight day with 21 yearlings sold for $339,500. Summerfield’s Francis Vanlangendonck said he thought the market felt stable on Tuesday.

“We’re probably a little off for what we wanted for the horses coming in, but our completion rate was really good [87.5%]. We sold almost every horse, and there was good activity on our better horses, so I thought the open market was fine,” Vanlangendonck said. “There are still guys back there with money to spend on a nice horse. Ocala is probably one of the few places that can sustain a sale of this size with these kinds of yearlings without anybody shipping in. Whether it’s $1,000 or $100,000, there are people here to buy those kinds of horses.”

The four-day sale continues through Thursday.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.

Pete Denk is sales editor for Thoroughbred Times