BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company saw positive numbers for their first auction of 2026 Tuesday as the Winter Mixed Sale saw across the board increases.

Gross sales of $3,505,100 resulted from the sale of 185 head, an 13.3% jump above last year when gross sales amounted to $3,093,700 from 212 head sold. The average price increased 26.7% from 14,593 last year to $18,946 Tuesday while the median price of $12,000 was 60% better than the median of $7,500 a year ago. The number of horses not sold was 72.

Topping the sale was Hip 80, a Florida-bred filly by first-crop sire Taiba out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Tranquil Song. Selling for $150,000 to Marc W. Gunderson, the filly is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes-placed Florida-bred Isolate. Tranquil Song is a half-sister to stakes-winning Florida-breds Stone Silent and Hollywood Jet, stakes-placed Florida-bred Sweetheart Deal and graded stakes producer Fantasy Forest. The filly was bred and consigned as an agent by Beth Bayer.

“I bred her, I raised her…I’ve loved her since the day she was born,” Bayer said. “I loved everything about her. She just had so much class and has done everything right for me. It ended up paying off for me at the end of the day.”

A Thoroughbred colt by Nashville stands in the middle of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company wood-paneled auction ring. His neck is craned around as his pricks curious ears in the direction of the audience. Above the colt’s head, a screen reads, “Hip 22, 25 C. Nashville - Rapid Racer, $140,000.” (Photo: ©Judit Seipert)

Hip 22, a colt by Nashville – ©Judit Seipert

Bayer as agent also consigned Hip 22, who sold for $140,000 to Always Dreaming. The colt is from the first crop by Nashville out of the stakes-winning Forest Wildcat mare Rapid Racer. The colt is a half-brother to graded stakes-placed Lee’s Baby Girl.

Hip 191, a Florida-bred colt from the first crop by Simplification, who stands at Pleasant Acres Stallions, sold for $100,000 to Rising Dividends Racing. Danielle Loya’s Silver Oaks Farm as agent consigned the half-brother to Mansetti, winner of the Grade 3 HPIbet Marine; and stakes-winner Straight Up G. Bred in Florida by Tami Bobo, the colt is out of Gidget Girl, by Sky Mesa.

Another from Bayer’s consignment was Hip 133, a colt by first-crop sire Zandon that sold for $90,000 to Pine Creek Ranch. The colt is out of the Roman Ruler mare Built in a Day, a half-sister to Grade 2 Kelso Handicap-winner Pat on the Back, stakes-winner and stakes-producer Sarah Accomplished and graded stakes-producer Pharoah’s Princess.

Hip 91 dropped the gavel at $85,000 on a final bid by Pinhook Partners. The colt is by first crop sire Pappacap out of Will Take the Gal, by Will Take Charge and was consigned by Richard Kent’s Kaizen Sales as agent.

Also selling for $85,000 was Hip 260, Mr. Charles, a colt by Cairo Prince out of the stakes-place Bwana Charlie Mare Miss Margaret. Banks Bloodstock purchased the colt out of the Hare Hill Farm consignment. Miss Margaret is a half-sister to stakes-producers Distinct Affair and Little Heiress.

Beth Bayer was the leading consignor, marketing 21 head for $719,800 while Richard Kent’s Kaizen Sales sold 21 head for $509,200. Lisa McGreevy’s Abbie Road Farm consigned 18 thoroughbreds for a total of $279,700.

Pine Creek Ranch was the leading buyer having purchased two head for $172,000. Marc W. Gunderson was the second leading buyer with his lone purchase of $150,00. Always Dreaming ranked third among buyers with their $140,000 selection.

Return to the January 27 issue of Wire to Wire

Quotes courtesy OBS Press Office.