OBS average up, but buyback rate soars

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's fall mixed sale began Monday in Ocala, Fla., with steep gains in average and median, but a high buyback rate.

The session-topper was Hip No. 285, a $120,000 weanling Wildcat Heir colt out of the Unbridled's Song mare Unbridled Treasure. Ben Perkins made the purchase from Joanne Crowe's Crowe's Nest Farm consignment. The colt's dam is a half-sister to top European juvenile filly Saoirse Abu.

The opening session sold 127 horses for gross receipts of $3,578,500, down 27 percent from last year's total of $4,870,000 for 216 horses. But average price gained 25 percent, reaching $28,177, and median shot up by 73 percent, from $12,750 to $22,000. Buybacks, however, increased substantially, rising from 30 percent last year to 51 percent on Monday.

The sale continues Tuesday with the second and final consignor-preferred session. That will be followed by three open sessions, ending Friday. Sessions begin at 11 a.m. in the OBS facility.