Halo Mare Brings $240,000 at OBSC Fall Sale

By Ryan Conley
Indian Halo, a Halo mare that produced grade III winner Indian Ocean, sold for $240,000 to top all prices Wednesday in the third session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company Fall Mixed Sale.

Buck Pond Farm's Doug Arnold signed the ticket for Indian Halo, a 10-year-old broodmare that was offered in the Bridlewood Farm consignment. The mare, who also produced stakes winner Megan's Halo, is in foal to Black Mambo.

"She represents the best of American breeding," said Arnold of Indian Halo whose grand-dam, Oceana, is a full sister to two champions. "I think she is the most important mare in this sale. We just love her.

"I went out and saw Indian Ocean and thought he just looks terrific," said Arnold, noting the newest stallion prospect at Arthur I. Appleton's Bridlewood Farm near Ocala, Fla. "We couldn't be happier."

Arnold said that he would likely breed back Indian Halo to either Storm Cat or A.P. Indy.

Three of the 13 mares offered Wednesday in the Four Horsemen's Ranch dispersal were sold to Gulf Coast Farm LLC for a combined $255,000. All went in the first 40 lots of the day: On the Horizon, by Lord Avie, for $75,000; Meadow Silk, by Meadowlake, for $95,000 and Winterberry, by Storm Cat, for $80,000. Bloodstock agent Jerry Bailey, who is partners in Gulf Coast Farm with Lance Robinson, said the trio would be shipped to Kentucky for foaling and breeding, and then shipped back to his Florida farm for raising.

One other mare, a Seattle Slew daughter named Raise, was sold for $100,000 out of the Summerfield Sales consignment. Hartley/De Renzo signed the ticket for the mare, who is in-foal to El Corredor.

The top price for a weanling was the $80,000 given by Sun Mist Farm for a Successful Appeal   colt in the Beth Bayer consignment.

All told, 182 horses were sold for $3,654,200 in the final of three consignor-preferred sessions, yielding an average of $20,078 and a median of $12,000. The buyback rate was 29.4%.

In the three consignor-preferred sessions, 559 horses sold for $12,458,500, while last year, when only two such sessions were held, 424 horses were sold for $8,730,000. This year's collective average was $22,287, up 8.2% over last year's $20,590, while the median was $14,000, down 7.7% from $15,000. The buyback rate of 27.8% rose from the 25.4% of last year.

The first of two open sessions begins Thursday at 11 a.m.