The offspring of Hard Spun were popular among buyers Jan. 17 as the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. winter mixed sale began its two-day run in Central Florida with a consignor preferred session and a new horses of racing age section.
Lady Clara, a 3-year-old daughter of Hard Spun, commanded $240,000 and was the most expensive horse sold on the auction’s first day. Offered in the horses of racing age section by Gayle Woods, agent, she was purchased by Amy Tarrant's Hardacre Farm.
Carrying the colors of TYB Stable, Lady Clara won one of her four career races and finished third in the Jan. 7 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct. The dark bay or brown filly is a half sister to King Hesperus (by Kingmambo), who captured the 2003 Rochestown Stakes in Ireland. Their dam, Victorica (by Exbourne), scored in the 1998 National Jockey Club Oaks.
The second-highest-priced horse in the horses of racing age section was Hard as Steel, an unraced 3-year-old son of Hard Spun. Patrice Miller of EQB, as agent, bought him for $85,000 from W.D. North Thoroughbreds, agent.
A dark bay or brown colt, Hard as Steel turned in the fastest half-mile work during the under tack show for the sale, covering the distance in :45. He is a half brother to Canadian grade III winner Sky Alliance (by Sky Classic) and stakes winners Classic Alliance (by Sky Classic) and Prime Ruler (by Orientate ). Hard as Steel also is a half brother to the winner Modification (by Vindication), who was third in the 2009 Humana Distaff Stakes (gr. I), and the winner Swifty Clasic (by Sky Classic), who is the dam of grade III winner Sky Mom (by Maria’s Mom).
During the consignor preferred session, a yearling daughter of Hard Spun was the highest-priced horse, bringing $87,000. Kaizen Sales, agent, acquired her from Montgomery Equine Center, agent.
The bay filly is a half sister to 2005 Golden Rod (gr. II) and Pocahontas (gr. III) stakes winner French Park (by Ecton Park). Their winning dam, Alarming Prospect (by Darn That Alarm), finished second in the 1997 Honey Bee Breeders’ Cup Handicap (gr. III). She turned in two other stakes-placed performances.
The results for the sale’s entire first day included a gross of $2,156,200 for the 135 horses that were sold. The average price was $15,972 and the median price was $9,000. The buy-back rate was 32.2%.
During the consignor preferred session, the 64 horses that were sold grossed $1,159,000 and averaged $18,109. Their median was $15,000. Compared to last year’s consignor preferred session, the number sold and gross fell 45.3% and 20.5%, respectively. But the average and median increased 45.3% and 66.7%, respectively.
The results for the horses of racing age section included a gross of $997,200 for the 71 horses that were sold. The average was $14,045 and the median was $6,500.
The second and final day of the OBS winter auction is scheduled for Jan. 18. Selling for the open session will begin at 11 a.m. (EST).