BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Marette Farrell on behalf of CJ Thoroughbreds went to $190,000 Tuesday at Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company to purchase a bay filly by the late Girvin out of the Glen Hill Farm consignment, leading the way on the successful first day of the two-day October Yearling Sale. 

“I thought she was an outstanding physical for starters. We’re big supporters of Girvin and were very sad for Airdrie that he unfortunately passed away,” Farrell said. “He was really a stallion on his way up. CJ Thoroughbreds, who we help with, had room for one more and really wanted to get a filly. We were very lucky last weekend that they had a filly called Revenge of Sis who was third [in the Grade 1 Frizette] so I think everything fell into place. I’m delighted to get her. We’re thrilled.”

Continuing a positive industry trend, Tuesday’s action saw the average price increase by 22.7% to $27,326 compared to the $22,266 average price on the first day last year. OBS sold 129 yearling Tuesday for gross sales of $3,525,000 compared to last year when 160 head sold for $3,562,600. The median price jumped 33.3% to $20,000 from $15,000 a year ago. The RNA percentage for Tuesday came in at 32.1 percent compared to 25.9 percent last year.

Sold as Hip 12, the top-selling filly is the third foal out of the winning Curlin mare Jewish Guilt including Unwritten Rule, winner of $83,250 Roar Stakes at Gulfstream Park in May. The second dam is Florida-bred stakes-winner Coco’s Wildcat by Wildcat Heir.

“It’s an old Florida family, that’s why we bought into it,” said Craig Bernick, president of Glen Hill Farm. “It’s actually the same family as Songbird if you look hard at the pedigree. We had shares in Curlin and we like buying mares by Curlin out of fast pedigrees. We’re confident that if you bring good horses, they’ll find them anywhere. I’m happy with the price but not surprised by it.

“[The Girvin filly] is a well-bred filly but she is also a very good-looking filly. She looks like she’ll stand training and hopefully run at [age] 2.”

Hip 120, bay colt from the first crop by Florida-bred Pappacap and consigned by Colin Brennan Bloodstock at Highlander Training Center, went for $120,000 on a final bid by Willow Creek Ranch. The colt is out of the unraced mare Quiet Talk, by Honor Code and is a half-brother to stakes-placed Just Be Quiet. Quiet Talk is also a half-sister to Grade 3-placed stakes-winners Fordubai and Fast Alex and stakes-placed Afford.

“This guy was exceptional. Just in a league of his own especially compared to the Pappacaps I’ve seen,” Brennan said. “He stood out as a man among boys in my opinion. I thought he was one who presented himself well here, he was really well received and obviously it showed with the result.”

First crop sire Mandaloun was represented by Hip 144, that sold for $115,000 to Stephen Rousseau and Saffie Joseph Jr. from the JM Horse Land Stables consignment. The bay filly is out of unraced Sense When, by Street Sense and is a half-sister to Florida-bred Nic’s Style, winner of the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at Gulfstream Park last year and Listed Pumpkin Pie during the Belmont at Big A meet in 2024. Nic’s Style also took this year’s FHBA Fillies and Mares Sprint at Gulfstream Park in April, the 2025 Minaret and the 2024 City of Ocala division of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

The top-selling Florida-bred on the day was Hip 175, a bay colt by Leinster that dropped the gavel at $100,000 as the fourth highest seller overall.

Consigned by Lisa McGreevy’s Abbie Road Farm and purchased by Dew Sweepers, the Florida-bred colt is out of Stifled Heiress, by Munnings and is a half-brother to Florida-bred Mad House, winner of the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park in April and last year’s Grade 2 Gallant Bob at Parx Racing; and stakes-placed Florida-bred Gaelic Legacy. Bred in Florida by Bulldog Racing, Wavertree Farm and Steven Venosa’s SGV Thoroughbreds, the colt is eligible for the Florida Sire Racing Incentive Program.

Stifled Heiress is out of the stakes-winning Florida-bred mare Wildcat Heiress, by Wildcat Heir and is a half-sister to stakes-placed Salvaje.

Beth Bayer was the leading consignor Tuesday, selling 15 yearlings for $419,000 while Abbie Road Farm marketed 17 horses for $394,500. Summerfield sold eight head for $262,000.

CJ Thoroughbreds led all buyers with their lone purchase of $190,000 while Dew Sweepers signed the ticket on two yearlings for a total of $147,000. Saffie Joseph Jr. bought four yearlings for $138,000. 

The second day of the OBS October Yearling Sale resumes Wednesday at noon.

Return to the October 6 issue of Wire to Wire