OBS Winter Sale Produces Mixed Results

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's winter mixed sale that ended on Tuesday in Central Florida produced results that were both positive and negative. The 494 horses sold grossed $4,231,900 and averaged of $8,567. Compared to last year's figures, the number sold and gross dropped by 27.8% and 21.5%, respectively. The average rose by 8.5%. In 2001, the 683 horses sold grossed $5,393,400 and averaged $7,897.The auction last for two days last year compared to four this year.

Southern Swing, a Dixieland Band mare in foal to Eltish, sold for $42,000 to top the open session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's winter mied sale on Tuesday. She was purchased by Tom McCrocklin, agent. The 8-year-old bay mare, consigned by Live Oak Stud, is out of stakes-winning Lien (by Never Bend), the dam of graded winner Jaded Dancer and stakes winner Nephrite.

The session's high-priced yearling was a colt by champion Favorite Trick, out of Colony Rose, by Pleasant Colony. He was bought by Mac Fehsenfeld for $30,000 from Lakland, agent.

In all, 250 horses sold for a gross of $1,313,500, compared with 390 horses bringing $1,671,200 in two open sessions a year ago. The average price was $5,254, an increase of 22.6% from the $4,285 in last year' open sessions. The median price was $3,700, an increase of 23.3% over the $3,000 median price in 2001 while the buyback percentage dropped to 18.3% from 24.2% a year ago. Gene Palmieri, was the session's leading buyer, taking home two for $52,000, followed by Mac Fehsenfeld with two for $47,000 .

During Monday's consignor preferred session, 244 horses were sold for a total of $2,918,400. The average was $11,961. The median was $6,500. And the buy-back percentage was 17.8%. Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey, were the session's leading buyers and the session topper was a yearling colt by Maria's Mon out of the winning Farma Way mare Cowgirl. The colt sold for $160,000 to the Ramseys. He was consigned by Nancy Bauman, agent for Bob Seeger.