OBS April sale: Colt from Arrogate's final crop tops session 1

On the day it was announced the late Arrogate would be inducted into the Hall of Fame, a colt from his final crop sold for a session-topping $1.45 million as the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s spring sale of 2-year-olds in training opened with gains.

OBS reported 161 horses sold during Tuesday's session, the first of four at the flagship sale, for gross receipts of $22,003,000. In last year's opener, 180 sold for a total of $22,793,000.

Tuesday's average price was $136,665, up 8 percent from $126,628 in 2022. The median price was $75,000, spiking 20 percent compared with $62,500 a year ago.

The buyback rate was 22 percent in a selective marketplace. It was 15 percent last year.

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Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, acting as agent for Zedan Racing, signed the ticket for the session-topping Arrogate colt. Arrogate, an Eclipse Award champion and the highest earning horse in North American history, died in 2020 after an illness led to neurological symptoms.

His first crop was led by 2022 Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath. His second crop includes a pair of Oaks candidates in Grade 1 winner And Tell Me Nolies and Grade 2 winner Affirmative Lady.

Arrogate's session-topping colt, who had breezed a furlong in 10 seconds flat during last week's under-tack preview show on the Ocala Training Center's all-weather Safetrack, was consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, as agent.

He is out of the unraced War Front mare Destine, who is the dam of two winners from three starters, including stakes-placed Sunset Promise. This is the family of champion sprinter Smoke Glacken.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.

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