The 2008 edition of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s winter mixed sale will look to rebound from the across-the-board declines it suffered last year when the three-day auction kicks off Jan. 16. Sessions begin daily at 11 a.m.
The sale will open with the one-day consignor preferred session, where 248 hips will be offered. The following two days will be open sessions.
Last year there were two consignor preferred sessions.
Business was down across the board last year, with the 531 horses sold for a gross of $6,921,100, down 28.6% and 34.4%, respectively, from comparable 2006 figures. The average price of $13,034 and the median price of $5,500 declined 8.1% and 9.8%, respectively.
The buy-back/no bid rate soared 43.9%, increasing from the 2006 rate of 29.7%.
Topping the sale last year was the mare Miz United States, carrying a foal by Songandaprayer, who was purchased for $260,000 by Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings. Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck's Summerfield, agent, consigned the daughter of Valid Appeal out of the Overskate mare Stolen Skates.
The sale features more than 500 yearlings by stallions such as Exchange Rate, Lion Heart, Macho Uno , Malibu Moon , Maria's Mon, More Than Ready , Orientate, Pleasantly Perfect, Posse, Songandaprayer, and Stormy Atlantic .
Florida-based sires represented by yearlings include City Place, D'wildcat, Montbrook, Omega Code, Peace Rules, Repent, Trippi, and Weblin.
Among the covering stallions represented are Bandini, El Corredor, Golden Missile, Good Reward, Halo's Image, Hook and Ladder, Johannesburg, Kafwain, Put It Back, Rockport Harbor, Sharp Humor, Spanish Steps, Strong Hope, Touch Gold, and Yes It's True.
Florida-based first-crop covering sires include Bachelor Blues, Congrats, Fire Slam, Holy Ground, Imperialism, Leading the Parade, Mass Media, Pomeroy, Rey de Café, The Daddy, and With Distinction.
