First session of Ocala Breeders' yearling sale up across the board

A $170,000 Midnight Storm colt led the way as the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. opened its October yearling sale on Tuesday with continued market momentum.

The two-day sale was structured with its perceived highest-quality horses as a select session on Tuesday, with the bulk of the catalog following in an open session on Wednesday. OBS reported 99 horses sold in the selected session for a total of $4,498,500, compared with 86 yearlings bringing $3,397,000 in the comparable session a year ago.

The average price was $45,439, up 15 percent from $39,500 last year, while the median price was $32,000, rising 14 percent compared with $28,000 in 2020. The buyback rate was 26 percent, improving from 36 percent.

The session-topping son of the versatile Midnight Storm, whose oldest foals are juveniles, was purchased by Elusive Thoroughbreds, from the consignment of Abbie Road Farm, as agent.

The colt is out of the stakes-winning Unbridled Energy mare Sterling Madame, whose only starter is a winner. The mare is a half-sister to Blushing Royal, dam of graded stakes winner Mocito Rojo. Their second dam is Chilean champion La Madame.

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