OBS June: Opening session keeps pace with last year

The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. June 2-year-olds in training and horses of racing age sale had a tough act to follow after last year’s renewal posted record returns, but day one compared favorably under a new format.

Tuesday’s opening session managed to keep pace with first day of selling in 2013 by average and median sale prices. However, gross revenues for the session fell sharply along with the number of horses sold, due in part to the sale expanding to four days from two last year, resulting in fewer horses going through the ring each session.

A total of 164 horses sold on Tuesday for revenues of $5,044,700, marking a 29 percent decrease from 2013 when 231 horses brought $7,109,700. The average sale price of $30,760 marked a negligible decline of 0.06 percent from $30,778 last year, while the median rose 13 percent from $20,000 to $22,500.

Two horses sold for $200,000 or more during Tuesday’s session, equaling the number that achieved that level of bidding during last year’s opening session.

Willis Horton was the winning bidder on the most expensive horse of Tuesday’s session, a Malibu Moon colt out of multiple Grade 3-winner Stylish, who was secured for $250,000.

Stylish, a Thunder Gulch mare with a trio of Grade 3 turf wins on her resume, is the dam of three winners from four foals to race including Sinaan, a multiple stakes-placed full brother to the session topper. His second dam is the Grade 3 winner Miss Lenora, who is a sister to French classic winner Madeline’s Dream.

The bay colt was bred in Kentucky by Malibu Farm, which sold him for $150,000 at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale. He was consigned at the OBS June sale by Wavertree Stables, agent, and breezed one furlong in :10 3/5 seconds during the pre-sale under-tack show. The colt is the first foal out of Stylish to sell at public auction as a juvenile.

Wavertree Stables was the session’s leading consignor, with seven horses sold for a combined $479,000. S.R.O.A., representing the Korean bloodstock agency K.O.I.D., was the most active buyer of the day, signing tickets on 14 juveniles for a total of $316,000, led by six $30,000 purchases.

The OBS June sale continues through Friday, June 20, with sessions beginning each day at 10:30 Eastern.