Appealing Skier leads session

LEXINGTON, Ky. - As of 5 p.m., a $155,000 Appealing Skier colt was the session-leader on day three of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's spring 2-year-old sale in Ocala, Fla.

On Tuesday, the auction's second session rang up gross receipts of $4,108,800 for 190 lots sold. Total revenue was down slightly from last year, when 163 horses brought $4,159,300. The second-day average price also declined at this year's second session, falling 15 percent to $21,625. The median price slipped 12 percent, from $17,000 last year to $15,000.

Despite the declines in revenue, the buy-back rate improved sharply, dropping from 35 percent at last year's second session to 24 percent this year.

Wednesday's $155,000 colt, whom the auction house listed as sold to Yusuf Mongroo, is the first foal out of the Marquetry mare Marque of Vogue. The colt is from the family of Group 1-placed stakes-winner Morewood. Halcyon Hammock Farm, agent, consigned the colt to the Ocala auction.