Weanlings have been driving the market at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. Fall Mixed Sale in recent years, and Monday's opening session of the 2004 auction indicated the trend was set to continue.
Led by the sale-topping price of $120,000 for a Tale of the Cat colt, 17 weanlings sold for more than $50,000 each, helping boost final figures across the board in the first of two consignor preferred sessions.OBSC reported 202 horses were sold for a gross of $4,401,000. The $15,000 median and $21,787 average were up 42.9% and 37%, respectively, compared to last year's first session. A total of 23 lots sold Monday for more than $50,000, bettering by seven the total at that figure for all four sessions of last year's auction.
OBS director of sales Tom Ventura was pleased, but cautionary, noting that a more accurate reflection of the sale's start would come at the conclusion of today's second consignor preferred session.
"But I would be surprised if there would be any significant differences, it won't be dramatically up or down," he said.
The sale-topping Tale of the Cat colt was purchased by Joseph Greeley's Sabine Stable, the same Micanopy, Fla. operation that bred Lion Heart, a stalwart runner from the same sire who sparkled at times on this year's Triple Crown trail. The chestnut is the first foal out of the un-raced Go for Gin mare Delirium, who is a half-sister to the graded stakes winner Move.
"This one is very athletic, with a long stride, but not particularly big either," said Francis Vanlangendonck, who consigned the colt through the Summerfield Sales Agency he operates with his wife, Barbara. "Lion Heart wasn't a very big horse as a weanling. We know Tale of the Cat can have a medium-size horse turn out to be very good."
Of the 17 top-selling weanlings, seven were sired by Yes It's True, a leading freshman sire who was recently transferred from owner Padua Stables in Summerfield, Fla., to Robert N. Clay's Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky. Included in the mix was the day's top-selling filly, a bay out of the Cool Victor mare, Cool Gamba, who was purchased by Son Stables out of the Cloverleaf Farms II and Brent Fernung, Agent, consignment.Today's session will be followed with open sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.
Complete Results from October 11 OBSC Session