Gross up, average down at OBS

Fillies ruled Wednesday at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s June 2-year-old and racing-age sale, where a $250,000 Peace Rules daughter led the selling.

Consigned as Hip No. 455 by Michael Yates's Shadybrook Farm agency, the filly went to Arch Bloodstock on behalf of buyer Avalon Farm. Hip No. 455 is from the first crop of Peace Rules and is a half-sister to stakes-placed Britten's Beauty.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey stocked up on 2-year-olds at the session, purchasing four juveniles, including a $170,000 Exchange Rate-Infinity filly and a $135,000 Sky Mesa-French Line filly.

Gross increased and average declined by less than 1 percent for 2-year-olds at the two-day auction as more horses sold this year than last. In total, 352 juveniles were sold for $7,720,700, up 14 percent from last season's 308. The average price slipped slightly, from $22,061 last year to $21,934.

The sale also sold 15 racing-age runners, up from eight in 2007. The gross was $144,000 for an average price of $9,600. Last year's eight older horses fetched a total of $65,800 for an $8,225 average.