Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. concluded its winter mixed sale Jan. 24 in Ocala, Fla., on a high note.
Paced by a third straight session of steady bidding, the open portion of the catalog Friday generated gross receipts of $1,785,900 on 208 head sold, compared with a total of $1,199,600 from 169 horses sold in the corresponding session last year. Average price climbed 20.9% to $8,586 from $7,098 a year ago, while the median price jumped 19% to $5,000 from $4,200 in 2013. Buy-back percentage for the session was 26.2%; it was 31.8% last year.
"We're real pleased with how the sale turned out," said Tom Ventura, OBS president. "Of course, we benefited by selling a few more horses than we did last year, but overall it was a good, solid week. It appears that the market has picked up where it left off in the fall."
Hip 763, Suroof, a 7-year-old Empire Maker mare consigned by Top Line Sales, agent, sold to Julio Rada, agent, for $57,000 to top the third and final session. Sold as a broodmare prospect, Suroof won four of 13 career starts and earned $156,831 during her racing career.
Out of the winning Hennessy mare Amber Token, Suroof hails from a strong black-type family. Her second dam, Tokens Only, is a half sister to champion sprinter Plugged Nickle, and the good stakes winners Christiecat, Key to the Bridge, Tool Fee, Toll Key and Idle Gossip. She was bred in Kentucky by Dr. and Mrs. M.L. Brosnan.
The second-highest priced horse of the session was hip 615, Porspoder (IRE), a 4-year-old daughter of Dalakhani consigned by Eversole Thoroughbreds, agent, who sold to Calumet Farm for $55,000.
Bred in Ireland by Kilfrush Stud, Porspoder is produced from the group I stakes-place mare New Story, by Dynaformer. The gray or roan filly is a half sister to group II stakes winner New Girlfriend (IRE) and Australian stakes winner Wazn.
Calumet Farm also bought the top-priced short yearling of the session, going to $50,000 for hip 845, a colt by Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) consigned by Sue Vacek, agent. Bred in Florida by Deborah Shaffer, the chestnut colt is out of the Carson City mare Ellenville, a daughter of stakes winner Water Street.
Hip 723, Fire Fire Fire, a colt from the first crop of Florida stallion First Dude consigned by Southern Cypress Stables, agent, was the second-highest yearling of the day, selling to Honeygrove Farm for $47,000. The bay colt, bred in Florida by Crane South, is out of Tigress Express, by Polish Numbers, and is the most expensive offspring by First Dude, Donald Dizney's grade I-winning son of Stephen Got Even, to sell at public auction.
"We're thrilled with the way his offspring have sold," said Melissa Anthony, stallion coordinator at Double Diamond Farm in Ocala, Fla., where First Dude stands. "He is consistently stamping his foals with size, bone, and mind."
Machmer Hall went to $42,000 to secure the top-priced yearling filly of the open session, hip 843, a daughter of Wildcat Heir consigned by Summerfield, agent. The bay filly is out of stakes-placed Earthquake Ride, by Meadowlake. The filly was bred in Florida by Susan Kahn.
Summerfield Sales led all consignors in the session, selling 25 head for $290,500. Calumet Farm's two purchases for $105,000 were enough to lead all buyers on the day.
Next on the OBS calendar is the selected sale of 2-year-olds in training slated for March 10-11 with an under tack preview scheduled for March 6-7.
In conjunction with the March sale, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will hold a two-day Thoroughbred Pedigree and Conformation clinic March 7-8 at OBS. The clinic, sponsored by Blood-Horse Publications, will feature conformation presentations, live evaluations, and pedigree discussions.
Hip 763, Suroof, a 7-year-old Empire Maker sold for $57,000 to top the third and final session.
Joseph DiOrio