The Florida yearling market stayed strong through the first day of the open session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company August Yearling Sale as prices continued strong after a healthy selected session Tuesday. Florida-breds stayed strong as well, making up four of the top ten sellers.
Gross sales increased to $2,890,100 for 206 yearlings, up 9.6% compared to this first day of the open session last year when 213 yearlings generated $2,636,400. The averages also increased from $12,377 last year to $14,030, up 13.3%. The median went from $9,000 last year to $10,000 this year for an 11.1% jump. Unlike during the select session however, the open session saw a reduction in yearlings that did not meet their reserves. The buyback rate was 21.4% Wednesday compared to 24.4% last year.
The top seller Wednesday was Hip Number 284, a colt by Kitten’s Joy out of the Skywalker mare No Deadline making her a sister to stakes winner Cannonball. Consigned by Stuart Morris’ Dapple Stud, Agent I of Paris, Ky., the bay colt brought $110,000 from Al Pike, Agent of Ocala. Bred by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, the colt was the only yearling to crack six figures during the Wednesday session which pleased both Morris and the Ramseys.
“I was elated with the price,” Morris said after the colt had sold. “I was blessed the Ramsey family and their [Ramsey Farm] general manager Mark Partridge allowed me sell three of their horses down here including a select horse [Tuesday], this horse and one [Thursday]. They do a great job and raise runners and I had the opportunity to bring those nice horses down here to a strong market and find the right kind of buyers. The Ramseys are very happy with the price and I’m hoping Al Pike can take [the colt] and do a lot of good with him.”
They say that the best deals happen when both parties walk away satisfied and that was certainly the case with Hip Number 284.
“We’re going to take him home and give him a few days rest then start breaking him and see what kind of horse he is and where we’re going to go with him,” Pike said about the top selling colt. “Kitten’s Joy [offspring] are very popular horses and they are runners.
“I was looking at select horses and the consignor came to me and said you need to look at this horse. So I looked at him Sunday and he was right.”
Bringing the second highest price Wednesday was Hip Number 466, a son of Songandaprayer and out of the Omega Code mare Viola Blew By that sold for $70,000 to John Stephens. Consigned by Beth Bayer, Agent XXVI, the chestnut colt has helped create a very successful sale for the young Bayer. Tuesday the Ocala consignor sold the top seller at the selected session for $220,000.
The top selling Florida-bred ranked third overall in Wednesday’s sales figures as Hip Number 259 brought $60,000 from Mark Casse, Agent of Ocala. Bred in Florida by Renee Scucci of Keystone Heights, the colt is a two-time graduate of OBS, selling for $7,500 in October of last year. I.C. Stables, Agent I was the consignor of the dark bay or brown colt by Spring At Last and out of the Charlie Barley mare Miss Icicle.
Also bringing $60,000 was Hip Number 311, a colt by Offlee Wild and the Kingmambo mare Perpetual Motion. Another from the consignment of Dapple Stud, W.D. North Thoroughbreds was the final bidder.
Two Florida-breds sold for $55,000 to round out the top six including Hip Number 274, also consigned by Summerfield and purchased by W.D. North Thoroughbreds, Agent for Bruno DeBerdt. By Keyed Entry, who stands at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, this colt is out of the Favorite Trick mare My Favorite Rose, a half-sister to 2011 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Ruler On Ice.
The top selling filly at the sale Wednesday put yet another feather in the caps of Florida breeders as Hip Number 389 also brought $55,000. Consigned by Pelican State Thoroughbreds, Agent for Keith Dickey, the filly was also purchased by trainer Wesley Ward of Ocala. Bred in Florida by Linda Lee Schroetlin of Fairfield, the filly had also sold previously at OBS, bringing $14,500 this past winter. She is by the Teuflesberg, who stands at Journeyman Stud in Ocala, and out of the Double Honor mare Sky’s Honor.
Photo by Joe DiOrio
