By Cynthia McFarland

The three-day Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. winter mixed sale concluded on Friday with a 27.2% decline in total receipts and a 21.1% dip in average price.

Median remained unchanged from last year.

The sales company reported 490 horses from 795 offered as sold for total receipts of $5,038,600. At last year’s four-day sale, 531 horses of 946 offered were sold for $6,921,100. Average price was $10,283 compared with $13,034 in 2007. Median was $5,500, the same as last year.

The buy-back rate dropped from 43.9% last year to 38.4%.

“I think that the market for the better horses is still fine,” said OBSC Director of Sales Tom Ventura. “The young broodmare prospects and younger mares in foal to popular stallions are selling just fine, and good-looking yearlings with some sire power sold fine. Below that, it’s a little tough.”

For the single consignor preferred session on Wednesday, 109 horses brought $2,544,700. Average price was $23,346 and median price was $16,000, with a hefty buyback rate of 44.9%. Last year, there were two consignor preferred sessions and horses in those sessions averaged $31,855. However, in 2006 there were three consignor preferred sessions and horses averaged $17,701.
 
Topping the sale was a yearling Posse colt sold on Wednesday for $95,000 to Josham Farms, Ltd., agent, of Toronto. Consigned by Journeyman Bloodstock, agent, the colt is out of stakes-placed Navarro Rose, by Native Prospector.

Highest-priced broodmare of the sale was Kabeeb, an eight-year-old stakes-winner by Labeeb (GB), consigned by Journeyman Bloodstock, agent. Adena Springs purchased Kabeeb, who sold in foal to Grade 1 winner Bandini, for $90,000.

Ocala pinhooker Tony Bowling took home the session topper on Friday, going to $45,000 for a yearling filly by Include. Consigned by Summerfield, agent, the bay filly is out of stakes winner Teerrific Sue, by Turkoman, and is a half sister to two winners.

Cynthia McFarland is a Florida-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent