BY BROCK SHERIDAN
The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company padded their seven-figure record Thursday with a colt by Uncle Mo going to Ramiro Restrepo’s Marquee Bloodstock for $1.3 million—the eighth juvenile during the Spring Sale to sell for at least $1 million. This year’s auction, which began Tuesday, eclipses the 2022 OBS Spring Sale that held the previous record, selling five million-dollar 2-year-olds during the four-day sale that year.
Thursday’s session was also significantly successful as 144 head sold for $21,806,500, a 38.9% increase above the $15,692,000 in gross sales from 157 horses sold on the third day of the sale last year. The $151,434 average was a 51.5% improvement on the $99,940 average on the corresponding day last year. The median jumped 40.4% to $80,000 from $57,000.
Through three days, the cumulative numbers reflect 482 juveniles generating gross revenues of $68,940,000 compared to the first three days last year when 493 2-year-olds sold for a total of $62,545,000. The average through three days is 12.7% higher this year at $143,029 compared to $126,866 through Thursday action last year. The median this year is $65,000 compared to $72,000 last year.
The OBS Spring Sale concludes Friday with Hips 907 – 1207 scheduled to sell starting at 10:30 a.m.
Selling as Hip 833 from the Eddie Woods consignment, the bay Uncle Mo colt is out of the stakes-winning mare Cacciatora (Ven), by Point of Entry and is from the family of Horse of the Year and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)-winner Favorite Trick. His 3-year-old full brother brought $320,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The colt posted an under tack time of :10 flat.
(Under Tack Video / Walking Video)
“First and foremost, the colt’s work was pretty spectacular,” Restrepo said. “Going back there and watching the game tape several times, it was pretty evident he had arguably the best breeze in the sale. Physically, I love the medium sized Uncle Mos. He’s a very powerful colt and you also have the lean on the opinion of amazing horsemen like Eddie Woods.
“The things he spoke about the horse were pretty special to hear and when you have the track record of a person like that, it bends your ear a bit.”
Restrepo said that Gustavo Delgado, who conditioned 2023 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1)-winner Mage, will train the Uncle Mo colt.
“I was pretty confident he would sell really well,” Woods said. “He had all the right people on him, his video was amazing, he’s by a proper stallion. He’s supposed to be a nice horse and he sold accordingly.
“For once, he sold right around where I thought he was going to sell.”
Hip 727 sold for $850,000 to Kaleem Shah’s K S I out of the Caliente Thoroughbreds consignment of Saul Marquez. The dark bay colt is by Maclean’s Music out of Apologize, by Lemon Drop Kid, and is a half-brother to Grade 2-placed Blue Devil. Apologize is a full sister to multiple Grade 3-winner Aurelia’s Belle and stakes-producer Agapantha. The colt, who worked an eighth mile in :10 flat at the breeze shot, was a $185,000 purchase by Blue Corner at last year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
(Under Tack Video / Walking Video)
“I love the colt as an individual. Maclean’s Music has been wonderful to me,” trainer Asmussen said. “I actually had Blue Devil as well, so it’s an individual I absolutely love. I loved his breeze. Just very fortunate Kaleem was willing to buy him.”
Maverick Racing and CHC, Inc. went to $750,000 to acquire Hip 787, a colt by Vekoma out of the Florida-bred mare Big Thrill, by Florida-bred Big Drama. Big Thrill is a half-sister to Florida-bred stakes-winner Determinato. Consigned by Ocala Stud as agent, the colt worked a quarter mile in :20.60 at the under tack show and last year was a $145,000 purchase by White Oak Stable at the Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale.
(Under Tack Video / Walking Video)
“It exceeded our expectations, but I’m not surprised that he brought that number,” said David O’Farrell of Ocala Stud. “He’s a really flashy colt he worked extremely well. He’s just a really sharp colt by the right sire at the moment.”
Hip 619 was purchased by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC for $700,000 out of Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables Inc. as agent consignment. He is out of the freshman sire Independence Hall, winner of the Grade 2 Fayette and Grade 3 Nashua. The dark bay or brown colt is out of the Candy Ride (Arg) mare Waltzing, a half-sister to Grade 3-winner Dancing Solo and Grade 1-placed Dancing. A $185,000 purchase by Superfine out of last year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the colt also sold for $120,000 to Dudley Racing at the 2024 Keeneland January Sale of horses of all ages. The colt was one of only six juveniles to work a quarter mile in :20.40 at this year’s under tack show.
(Under Tack Video / Walking Video)
Also among the half-dozen to work two furlongs in :20.40 during the breeze show was Hip 875, who was purchased for $625,000 by Spendthrift Farm LLC. From the first crop by Yaupon, a multiple graded stakes-winner of the Grade 1 Forego, Grade 2 Amsterdam and Grade 3 Chick Lang, the bay colt is out of the Scat Daddy mare Chestnut Street, a half-sister to stakes-winner Saratoga Snacks, Grade 3-placed Rajman and stakes-producer Speed Dating. Last year, the colt was purchased by Bang Bang for $260,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
(Under Tack Video / Walking Video)
Eddie Woods was the leading consignor Thursday with four horses selling for $1,697,000. Second on the list was de Meric Sales, marketing nine young Thoroughbreds for $1,652,000 while Wavertree sold 10 head for $1,491,000.
Marquee Bloodstock as agent led all buyers with their purchase of the top seller at $1.3 million. K S I was the second leading buyer with their purchase of Hip 727 for $850,000. Mahmud Mouni rounded out the top three buyers after signing the ticket for three juveniles for $840,000.
Return to the April 17 issue of Wire to Wire
