OBS cancels 2016 fall mixed sale to renovate facility

The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. will not conduct its fall mixed sale in 2016 while the company’s sale complex undergoes renovations.

Included among the scheduled improvements are an expansion of the sales pavilion and a remodeling of the horsemen’s lounge, featuring a bar and seating area overlooking the covered walking ring and chute.

The fall mixed sale, typically the first major weanling and breeding stock sale on the North American auction calendar, was scheduled to take place Oct. 11-13.

“We are excited about the upgrades designed to improve the sales experience for our customers,” said OBS president Tom Ventura. “With windows of opportunity between our sales so limited, skipping the sale in October permits four uninterrupted months of work.

“Although the entire project will not be completed in that time frame, a significant portion of the exterior structural work will be done,” Ventura added. “The winter mixed sale will be held in its normal time slot, featuring broodmares, newly turned yearlings and horses of racing age, allowing our consignors to target January instead of October this year.”

With the change in schedule, the final 2016 event on the OBS calendar will be the auction company’s select and open yearling sales Aug. 23-25, which will follow the June sale of 2-year-olds and horses of racing age June 14-17.

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