The Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. (OBS) is conducting its August yearling sale, which began Monday in Central Florida, without its director of auctions and head auctioneer, Ryan Mahan. A resident of Kentucky, Mahan recently underwent surgery and suffered complications that required additional treatment and prevented him from attending the sale. An announcement from the auction stand prior to the start of the sale informed buyers and consignors about the reason for Mahan's absence.
"Ryan has been a mainstay here for years, and we miss having him here," said Tom Ventura, the OBS general manager and director of sales. "This would have been his 30th (OBS) yearling sale, and he's a very important part of what we do. I'm sure he participated by watching them (his auction crew) on the Internet and giving them feedback as we went through the select session. We want him well and want to see him back here in October (for the OBS fall mixed sale).
Mahan also is the senior auctioneer at Keeneland.
