OBS ends with impressive gains

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company ended its five-day run Friday with impressive gains.

Topped by a $300,000 Smart Strike-Cent Nouvelles colt that agent Ken McPeek purchased from Martin Stables South, the one select session on Aug. 21 rang up a sale-record gross of $10,427,500 for 176 yearlings. That yielded a record average of $59,247, and the select session's $45,000 median equaled its previous record.

The auction's four open sessions also produced strong gains, resulting in an open-session record for gross. The Tuesday-to-Friday open sessions grossed $9,127,500 for 819 lots, up dramatically from last year's total of $7,709,100 for 751 yearlings. The 2006 average was $11,145, as compared to last season's $10,265. This year's median was $6,500, up from $6,000.

The 2006 buyback rate dipped slightly, falling from 28 percent last year to 27 percent.