By Carlos E. Medina
The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. August yearling sale posted significant increases across the board for a second straight day Aug. 25 in Central Florida.
The gross for the first of two open sessions rose 65.1%, from $1,410,300 for 190 horses sold last year to $2,328,500 for 243 head sold this year. The average price jumped 29.1%, from $7,423 to $9,582. And the median price advanced 62.5%, from $4,000 to $6,500. The buyback rate fell from 34% to 25.5%.
The auction kicked off with a select session Aug. 24.
“We’ve been through some tough years,” said Tom Ventura, OBS general manager and director of sales. “Hopefully, it’s a sign we are working our way out of a slump. It looks like there is a little bit more confidence in the market and we’re thankful things are turning around a little bit. There are fewer horses to be sold, so we may be getting an effect from (a better balance between) the supply and demand.”
A son of Mass Media topped the Aug. 25 session, bringing $50,000 from Sarah McCord. The colt was consigned by Sharon Biamonte, who bred him in partnership with Al Milano.
Produced from the winning Defrere mare Defrills, the dark bay or brown yearling is a half brother to Awesome Son (by Pure Precision), winner of this year’s East Hanover Township Stakes at Penn National.
The top-selling filly, a daughter of Congrats , brought $47,000 and was bred in Florida by Alan Pesch and Second Wind Racing. Consigned by Beth Bayer, the dark bay or brown yearling, is out of the winning West by West mare Chelsea Rose. The filly, purchased by Paul Sharp, is a half sister to the winners Neverrguwithrichie (by Closing Argument) and Chelsea’s Prime (by Montbrook).
“In the open session, the horses with the nice physical attributes are the ones that stand out. It was good to see some of the younger sires getting respect,” Ventura said.
The second and final open session, which is the auction’s last session overall, is scheduled for Aug. 26, beginning at 10:30 a.m. (EDT).