The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. (OBS) winter mixed sale suffered downturns of 63% in its average price and 74.4% in its median price from a year ago as it opened with a consignor preferred session Jan. 6 in Central Florida. The gross revenue dropped 43% even though the number of horses sold was up 54.1% from 2008's first day total.
“Going in off of our fall mixed sale, we knew it was going to be a difficult market because the worldwide economic situation hadn’t changed much since then,” said Tom Ventura, the general manager and director of sales for OBS. “However, the yearlings held up pretty well. Their average this year was $18,171, which was down 26% from last year when it was $24,609. Buyers told us that the (young) horses that were by sires with commercial appeal and had good physicals going for them were still hard to buy.”
According to OBS, the 168 horses sold grossed $1,450,200 and averaged $8,632. The median price was $4,100. In 2008, the 109 head that sold grossed $2,544,700. The average was $23,346, and the median was $16,000.
Sixty-five (27.9%) of the 233 horses offered this year failed to find new homes.
Noble Exchange, a yearling son of Exchange Rate, brought the opening session’s top price of $87,000. Eisaman Equine purchased the gray or roan colt from Janie Roper, agent.
Bred in Florida by Eddie and Kim James, Noble Exchange is a half-brother to the winner Winsome Charm (by Silver Charm), who finished second in the 2008 Sunshine Millions Dash at Santa Anita Park. Noble Exchange's 9-year-old dam, Social Scene (by Tabasco Cat), is a half-sister to stakes winners Washington Color (Jpn-III) and Kew Green.
The most expensive broodmare sold was Elena’s Dream, a 7-year-old unraced daughter of El Prado. The McKathan Brothers (Kevin and J.B.) bought her for $62,000 from Broken Back Farm. Elena’s Dream, who is in foal to Scat Daddy, is out of stakes winner A Dream Above (by Great Above) and is a full sister to grade III winner Nite Dreamer (by El Prado).
The OBS sale ends Jan. 7 with an open session that begins at 11 a.m. (EST).