by Cynthia McFarland

Average price and median both declined significantly on day one of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s winter mixed sale at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Complex.

OBSC reported 109 horses as sold from 198 offered during the consignor preferred session for $2,544,700, a 0.1% increase compared with day one of the 2007 winter mixed sale. Average price plummeted 31.1% to $23,346, compared with $33,900 last year, and median declined 23.8% to $16,000.

The buy-back rate of 44.9% was a decline from 60.3% on day one in 2007.

Last year’s four-day sale featured two consignor preferred sessions, but this year OBSC trimmed the sale by one day,  cutting one of the preferred sessions.

Josham Farms Ltd., agent, went to $95,000 to take home the session topper, a chestnut colt by 2007 leading freshman sire Posse.

“He had a great walk, a great presence and his conformation was excellent,” said Ted Burnett of Josham Farms, a commercial breeding operation in Toronto.

Burnett said the fact that the colt was a New York-bred was an added incentive since he intends to offer him in a sale later this year.

Consigned by Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Bloodstock, agent, the session topper is out of stakes-placed Navarro Rose, by Native Prospector. The colt was one of only two Posse yearlings in the sale.

“He was a big, strong colt and has been in Florida about six weeks. He’s really done a lot of growing and filling out in that time,” said Brent Fernung. “He was on everybody’s list. It was a good price for him.”

Adena Springs took home the day’s top-priced broodmare, going to $90,000 for Kabeeb, an eight-year-old stakes winner by Labeeb (GB). Kabeeb earned $220,211 on the track, and she is the dam of one foal. Consigned by Journeyman Bloodstock, agent, she is in foal to Grade 1 winner Bandini, whose first foals will arrive this year.

The second highest-priced yearling of the day was a strapping chestnut colt by Malibu Moon, also consigned by Journeyman Bloodstock, agent, purchased for $75,000 by Pick Six Thoroughbreds.

“I thought he was the best horse in the sale. He was gorgeous,” said Ron Fein, who signed the ticket. Fein, whose Superfine Farm is located in Ocala, said he bought the colt to pinhook later this year.

The sale continues Thursday at 11 a.m. EST with the first of two open sessions.

Cynthia McFarland is a Florida-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent

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