by Cynthia McFarland
With more than 100 horses withdrawn from the first session and the buy-back rate at 53.2%, economic indicators declined across the board on day one of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. fall mixed sale.
The OBSC fall mixed sale was shortened from five days in 2007 to three days this year. The 2008 sale featured one consignor preferred session, compared with two preferred sessions last year.
OBSC reported 108 horses from 231 offered as sold for gross receipts of $1,979,600 on day one, a 44.7% decline compared with $3,578,500 in total receipts during the first session last year. During last year’s two preferred sessions combined, OBSC reported 256 horses as sold for $6,848,700.
The average price of $18,330 was down 34.9% compared with $28,177 on day one last year, and average dipped 31.5% compared with $26,753 during the two preferred sessions in 2007. Median for the first session was $12,000.
“It was a very difficult day. It’s a tough [economic] situation globally and certainly the results show that,” said Tom Ventura, general manager and director of sales for OBSC. “On the positive side, there were some high-priced weanlings. Buyers are demanding quality individuals with sire power and the high-selling weanlings fit that criteria.”
Topping the session was a gray or roan weanling filly by popular young sire Exchange Rate who brought $105,000. Ben McElroy of Lexington signed the ticket as Twin Peeks Racing. He bought the filly in partnership to pinhook as a yearling.
“I think I’m probably done now. That’s more than I expected to pay,” said McElroy, who said he bought one other horse during the first session.
Consigned by Horses of Course, the filly is out of multiple stakes winner Passionate Bird, by Birdonthewire. She was a homebred of Lee and Paula Parker’s Horses of Course.
Woodland Farms went to $65,000 for the day’s top-priced broodmare, Escape From Home, a strapping four-year-old mare by Came Home in foal to multiple Grade 1 winner Rock Hard Ten. Consigned by Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Bloodstock, agent, Escape From Home is a half sister to Canadian champion Sweetest Thing.
CCS Bloodstock took home the first Rockport Harbor weanling to sell at auction, going to $80,000 for a bay filly out of stakes winner Christmas Lights, by Citidancer.
“We’ve had a lot of luck out of this sale buying foals to sell as yearlings,” said Carrie Brogden of Machmer Hall in Paris, Kentucky, who signed the ticket.
The Rockport Harbor filly was consigned by Journeyman Bloodstock, agent.
“She’s always been an exceptionally balanced filly. She has a huge walk on her, the kind of horse everyone wants to own,” Crystal Fernung said of the filly.
The sale continues with open sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, beginning at 10:30 a.m. EDT.
For hip-by-hip results, click here.
Cynthia McFarland is a Florida-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent