OBS June sale concludes with declines across the board

A son of four-time reigning leading sire Into Mischief sold for $475,000 to lead the final session as the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. wrapped up its June sale of 2-year-olds in training and horses of racing age Thursday.

OBS reported that 646 2-year-olds changed hands during the three-day sale for gross receipts of $24,109,900, with figures for the small horses of racing age session not factored into that. Last year, 671 juveniles sold for a total of $27,137,000.

This week's cumulative average price was $37,322, a dip of 8 percent compared with $40,443 in 2022. The median price was $20,000, dropping 13 percent compared with $23,000 a year ago. The buyback rate in a highly selective marketplace rebounded on the final day to finish at 16 percent for the week; it was 17 percent last year.

OBS also reported that five older horses changed hands in the horses of racing age section on Thursday for a total of $59,000, averaging $11,800 with an $8,000 median figure.

Thursday's session-topping Into Mischief colt was purchased by bloodstock agent John Fahey from the consignment of Tom McCrocklin, as agent. The colt had breezed a quarter-mile in 21 seconds flat during last week's under-tack preview show on the Ocala Training Center's all-weather Safetrack.

The colt is out of Canadian champion and Grade 3 winner Delightful Mary. The Limehouse mare is the dam of two winners from three starters to date. Delightful Mary is a half-sister to Grade 2-winning millionaire Delightful Kiss, to Grade 3-placed Honour the Deputy, to stakes-placed Trust the Deputy, and to two mares who have produced stakes winners.

The Into Mischief colt was the second highest-priced horse of OBS June overall, trailing only a Blame colt who sold for $485,000 to Clay Scherer, as agent, to top Wednesday's session. The restraint at the top end of the marketplace contributed to the lower average; while last year, two horses topped the $500,000 threshold, led by a $725,000 Uncle Mo filly.

Rounding out the top five prices at this week's sale were a $450,000 Hard Spun colt purchased by Frank Fletcher Racing; a $375,000 colt from the final crop of Arrogate purchased by Marquee Bloodstock; and a $370,000 filly from the first crop of Flameaway purchased by agent Justin Casse.

The June sale was the last of three juvenile auctions OBS conducts annually, and the penultimate sale of this breeze-up season. Fasig-Tipton will host a second sale in the popular Midlantic region on June 28.

For hip-by-hip results from OBS June, click here.

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