by Cynthia McFarland
The three-day Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. fall mixed sale concluded Wednesday with sharp declines in total sales, average price, and median.
OBSC reported 385 of 717 horses offered as sold for $3,465,800, a 64.8% decline compared with $9,841,600 in total receipts at the five-day 2007 sale. This year’s sale featured one consignor preferred session, compared with two preferred sessions last year.
“It was a tough sale. I think that in a few spots there was some quality that the buyers paid for,” said Tom Ventura, OBSC general manager and director of sales. “The last two days, the broodmares that were sold—$30,000, $40,000, and $50,000 mares—long term, there was some good value.”
Average price plummeted 38.8% from $14,711 in 2007 to $9,002 and median dipped 40% to $4,500, compared with $7,500 last year. The buy-back rated climbed from 40.5% last year to 46.3%.
“I think it’s a good market to buy because a lot of people are afraid. When good horses come up, I still believe there’s money here to buy them. This is all going to turn and we’re going to be OK,” said Lisa McGreevy, who bought a $61,000 weanling filly by With Distinction from the consignment of Sue Vacek, agent, for client Michael Sucher.
A filly by Exchange Rate sold for $105,000 during the first session to top the sale. Ben McElroy of Lexington, who signed the ticket as Twin Peeks Racing, purchased the filly with a partner and intends to pinhook her as a yearling. Lee and Paula Parker’s Horses of Course consigned the sale-topping filly.
“She’s by a hot sire, a good sire of fillies, and she’s out of a good racemare,” McElroy said of the filly, who is out of multiple stakes winner Passionate Bird, by Birdonthewire.
The top-priced broodmare of the sale was Escape From Home, a four-year-old by Came Home in foal to Rock Hard Ten who brought a final bid of $65,000 from Woodland Farm. Consigned by Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Bloodstock, agent, the four-year-old mare is a half sister to Canadian champion Sweetest Thing.
Broodmares sold better than weanlings during the second of two open sessions on Wednesday.
Vicente Portaro went to $55,000 for session topper New Real Deal, a multiple Group 1 winner in Argentina. Consigned by Live Oak Stud, agent, the ten-year-old Roy mare is in foal to High Fly.
“She’s going back to Argentina, where she belongs,” Portaro said.
When asked what he liked about her, he smiled and pointed to the multiple Group 1 races in the mare’s race record.
For hip-by-hip results, click here.
Cynthia McFarland is a Florida-based Thoroughbred Times contributing writer