(from OBS report)
Fifi's Fancy, a colt by Gulf Storm consigned by agent Elysian Bloodstock, was purchased by Excel Bloodstock for $67,000 to top the final open session Friday of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's 2006 August Yearling Sale.
Overall, the four open sessions at OBS saw 819 yearlings bring a sale record total of $9,127,500, compared with 751 horses bringing $7,709,100 in last year's open sale. The previous record was $9,109,400 in 2004.
The chestnut colt is out of Fifi Nekia, by Numerous, a half sister to stakes placed La Bombonera and French Dish.
A colt by Silver Charm consigned by agent Summerfield (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck, was sold to agent Robert and Mary Harris for $65,000. The gray or roan colt is out of Evoking, by Foolish Pleasure, a half sister to graded stakes winner Oraibi.
A colt by El Corredor consigned by On Course Sales, agent for BryLynn Farm, went to Joseph Lacombe Stables Inc. for $50,000. The dark bay or brown colt is out of stakes winner Cajun Season, by Gilded Time.
Agent Niall Brennan paid $47,000 for a Snow Ridge filly consigned by agent Cookson Thouroughbreds. The chestnut filly is out of Club Queen, by Fortunate Prospect, a full sister to stakes winners Fortunate Review and Super Fortunate.
For the session 202 horses sold for a total of $1,800,700. That compared favorably to last year's final session when 161 yearlings grossing a total of $1,412,200. The average was $8,914, up slightly from $8,771 last year. The median price was $5,850 compared with $5,500 in 2005 and the buyback percentage was 25.5%; it was 32% a year ago.
The open sale average was $11,145, up 8.6% from $10,265 a year ago, while the median price was $6,500, up from $6,000 in 2005. The buyback percentage was 26.7% it was 27.5% last year.
The open sale topper was Song of Arabia, a colt by Songandaprayer consigned by agent Nancy Bauman purchased by agent Joseph Brocklebank for $160,000. The bay colt is out of Memory Rock, by Sheikh Albadou (GB), a half sister to stakes winner Mountain Range.
At Monday's selected session, 176 yearlings brought a sale record total of $10,427,500, compared with 182 yearlings selling for $9,171,500 at the 2005 sale and surpassing the record $9,252,000 set in 2004. The average price was a record $59,247, up 17.6% from last year's $50,393, breaking the $52,271 record also set in 2004. The median price was $45,000, up 12.5% from $40,000 a year ago and equaling 2004's record. The buyback percentage was 32.3%; it was 30.2% a year ago.
Thirty-one yearlings brought $100,000 or more at the select session compared with 20 in 2005. Nick de Meric, Agent, was the day's leading buyer, taking home nine yearlings for a total of $552,000. The sale topper was a colt by Smart Strike consigned by Martin Stables South and purchased by agent Kenny McPeek, for $300,000. The chestnut colt is out of Cent Nouvelles, by Storm Bird, a full sister to stakes placed Red Soul.
Next on the OBS agenda is the Fall Mixed Sale, with 1,723 horses cataloged to sell Oct. 9-13.
