$1.5 million Quality Road colt tops second OBS session

A $1.5 million Quality Road colt and a $1 million Arrogate filly led the way as the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s spring sale of 2-year-olds in training posted another strong session on Wednesday.

Following an opening session that posted year-to-year gains, OBS reported 181 horses sold for a total of $21,056,500 during Wednesday's second of four sessions. During last year's second session, 158 horses sold for a total of $15,990,000.

Wednesday's average price was $116,334, rising 15 percent from $101,203 last year. The gain in average is significant; while the 2020 edition of the sale was battling the economic restraint brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, from which the market seems to have somewhat rebounded, last year's corresponding session was led by the highest-priced juvenile in North America last season, $1.35 million Princess Noor.

The median price for Wednesday's session was $47,000, dipping from $55,000 a year ago. The buyback percentage remained unchanged at 19 percent, after also finishing unchanged in the first session.

The session-leading Quality Road colt was purchased by Speedway Stables, LLC. The colt, who was consigned by de Meric Sales, as agent, had breezed a furlong in 10 seconds flat during the under-tack preview show held last week on the Ocala Training Center's all-weather Safetrack surface.

The colt is out of the Najran mare Wasted Tears, a six-time graded stakes winner who earned $941,463. The mare, herself a half-sister to two stakes winners, is the dam of four winners from five starters, including stakes-placed Coffee Crush.

The seven-figure Arrogate filly was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida, via an online bid, from the consignment of Mayberry Farm, as agent. The filly, from the first of what will be just three crops by the late Arrogate, had also breezed a furlong in 10 seconds during her under-tack preview.

The filly is out of the multiple graded stakes-winning Montbrook mare Amen Hallelujah, who also recorded four Grade 1 placings. All four of her foals are winners.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.