Open Portion of OBS Yearling Sale Sees Increases

Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. realized increases in average and median prices during the open sale portion of its annual August yearling sale that concluded Aug. 24 and recorded a final gross total nearly the same as last year.

A total of 778 horses sold during the four sessions, producing gross sales of $9,047,400, a 0.8% decrease from the $9,127,500 generated in 2006. The open-session average of $11,629 was a 4.3% increase over last year, while the median price was up 7.7% to $7,000. The buyback percentage increased to 27.4% from last year's 26.7%.

The Aug. 24 final session produced 180 horses that sold for $1,656,000, an 8% decrease of $1,800,700 last year. The average increased 3.2% to $9,200, while the median was up 2.6% to $6,000. The buyback percentage increased to 29.9% from 25.5% in 2006.

Topping the final session was $75,000 paid by Manor Farm for a colt by City Place   out of the Kissin Kris mare Kwestionable Kiss, who is a half-sister to stakes-placed Linda Love. Sold out of the Rebah Farm consignment, the colt was bred in Florida by Tim Ahearn Jr. and Marty Gibson.

The top-selling price for a filly was $60,000 paid by Webster Training Center  for a daughter of Spanish Steps  , who is out of the Tabasco Cat mare Kitty Comedy, a half-sister to stakes-placed The Hess Express. Sold from the Perrone Sales consignment, the filly was bred in Florida by Martin Stables.

Manor Farm also bought the top-selling colt of all four open sessions, a son of Alphabet Soup   who sold for $185,000 Aug. 23. Consigned by Summerfield, the colt was produced from B Gone Blues, by Gone West  , a daughter of graded stakes winner Beal Street Blues. The colt was bred in Ontario by Adena Springs.

The next auction on the OBS calendar is the fall mixed sale Oct. 8-12. A total of 1,505 horses are cataloged.