Gross, Average Rise at OBS Winter Mixed Sale

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The Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. winter mixed sale ended Friday in Central Florida with increases in gross revenue and average price. During the four-day run, OBS reported that 744 horses were sold for a gross of $10,557,900 and an average of $14,191. The gross rose 18.2% from last year's total of $8,929,600 for 684 head. The average advanced 8.7% from 2005's comparable figure of $13,055. There were three consignor-preferred sessions and one open session this year, and two consignor-preferred sessions and two open sessions last year.

This year's gross and average were the highest since 1984, when the figures were $12,699,500 and $14,497, respectively.

"Overall, the sale went well," said Tom Ventura, the general manager and director of sales for OBS. "The better horses brought top dollar. We had eight horses that sold for $100,000 or more. Last year, there were three.

"The horse has to have some sire power or the a mare has to be in foal to a stallion with sire power. Songandaprayer   certainly helped this sale. But at the lower end. it's still tough."

The results for Friday's open session, according to OBS, were 211 horses sold, a gross of $1,123,500, an average of $5,325, and a median of $2,700. The buy-back rate was 21.5%.

A Posse yearling filly brought the top price of $85,000. Barry Berkelhammer purchased her from Summerfield, agent. A bay, the filly is the first foal out of the 7-year-old stakes-placed Eltish mare Eltisha, who won five times and is a half-sister to stakes winner Red Lightning. The filly's second dam is grade III winner Doodle. Summerfield, agent, also sold Eltisha, with a Peace Rules colt at her side, for $45,000 to Broken Back Farm.

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