Large catalog for winter mixed sale

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s annual winter mixed sale begins Jan. 17 and runs through Jan. 20, and already the auction is showing good numbers.

"There are more horses cataloged than there were this past October," said Tom Ventura, general manager and director of sales for OBS. "This is the first time we've ever had more cataloged in January than October."

There are 636 horses in the consignors' preferred sessions, over the sale's first two days, and another 524 in the open sessions. The 1,160 lots represent an increase of about 10 percent over last year's January sale. The 400 or so yearlings in both the preferred and open sessions are records for that category.

Sweetsouthernsaint, Florida's pro-tem freshman sire leader in 2004, has seven yearlings in the catalog's preferred section and another six in the open section. Successful Appeal, 2004's national freshman leader, has three yearlings in the consignors' preferred, while Yes It's True, the nation's runner-up freshman sire, has nine yearlings for sale in the first two days.

Stallion seasons and sports items for charity

Florida Thoroughbred Charities Inc., an adjunct of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, will hold its annual Bright Futures cocktail party and charity auction on Jan. 16 at Steinbrenner's Yankee Ramada Inn. The $40-per-person admission price entitles the ticket holder to dinner, a sports memorabilia silent auction, and a host of other activities. The silent auction begins at 6:30 p.m. and an open auction at 8:30.

Those seeking tickets or further information should contact the FTBOA by e-mail at info@ftboa.com or by phone at (352) 629-2160.

The next evening, Jan. 17, after the first session of the winter mixed sale, features the annual charity auction of no-guarantee 2005 stallion seasons. A season to Red Bullet, who has the highest stud fee in Florida at $30,000 live foal, will be auctioned along with seasons to four other Adena Springs stallions, including Eclipse champion Macho Uno. CloverLeaf Farms II, Ocala Stud, and Rising Hill Farm have each donated seasons to nine stallions for this auction. Bridlewood Farm is next in the count with eight stallions participating, including Florida's leading sire in 2004, Halo's Image.

On Jan. 15, the Georgia Thoroughbred Owners' and Breeders' Association will have its annual stallion season auction in Atlanta. Owners of Florida stallions are the biggest supporters of the GTOBA auction, and those seeking a list of stallions or wishing to bid by phone can contact the GTOBA at (866) 664-8622.

Exploit to stand in South Korea

Exploit, who had been announced as standing at CloverLeaf Farms II for 2005, has been purchased by South Korean breeders and will stand in that country beginning in 2005.

"I was sure he'd be booked solid here in Florida," says Brent Fernung, general manager for CloverLeaf. "I knew that the Koreans were looking at him and were interested, and part of the deal to stand him here in Florida was that he could be sold."

Fustok buys a piece of Quail Roost Farm

Mahmoud Fustok, the oldest of several brothers involved in Buckram Oak NV Inc., has acquired a 130-acre parcel of Quail Roost Farm, formerly the property of the Heubeck family. The reported $3 million purchase includes the one-mile training track and seven-furlong turf course.

Fustok, it has been reported, is in the process of selling his 476-acre showplace farm in Lexington, Ky.