by Cynthia McFarland

The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. fall mixed sale begins Monday with 1,000 horses consigned to the three-day sale, which kicks off with a consignor preferred session.

The preferred session will be followed by two open sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday. Much of the talk leading up to the sale has been about the turbulence of the national economy and the state of the Thoroughbred auction market.

National news dominated by the massive government “rescue” bill and a fluctuating stock market has many consignors nervous. Sale officials are maintaining a more optimistic outlook.

 “I think we’re going to follow along the way the yearling sales have gone,” said Tom Ventura, OBSC general manager and director of sales. “We’ve been having a difficult time with the lower end of the market and I think that’s the part of the market that is going to be impacted by the current state of the economy with the fluctuating stock market.

“The numbers at the yearling sales, while they’re off from where we’ve been, the decline hasn’t been dramatic, certainly not at the upper and middle end. The sales have held up pretty well considering the circumstances.”

With more than 500 weanlings cataloged, the remaining entries are broodmares with a couple dozen yearlings scattered throughout the sale.

Always a main attraction of this first mixed sale of year is the opportunity for buyers to take a close look at weanlings by a number of first-crop sires, including a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and several multiple Grade 1 winners.

In the consignor preferred session on day one, first-crop sires represented by weanlings include 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo as well as Bachelor Blues, Bandini, Bellamy Road, Congrats, Da Stoops, Fire Slam, Forest Grove, Imperialism, Leading the Parade, Mass Media, Pomeroy, Praying for Cash, Rockport Harbor, Sharp Humor, The Daddy, Too Much Bling, War Front, and With Distinction.

The sale also features mares in foal to new sires such as Discreet Cat, Flashy Bull, Political Force, Saint Anddan, Stevie Wonderboy, Stormello, Sun King, and Wilko.

Last year’s sale topper was a $185,000 weanling colt by Closing Argument, consigned by Beth Bayer, agent, and bought by Buzz Chace, agent for L & F Stables. The highest-priced broodmare or broodmare prospect was Maid Guinevere at $175,000. Maid Guinevere was consigned by Journeyman Bloodstock, agent, and purchased by Kinsman Stud Farms.

Sessions begin at 10:30 a.m. EDT Monday through Wednesday.

To view an online catalog, click here.

Cynthia McFarland is a Florida-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent