OBS spring: Gun Runner colt sells for $2.2 million as Zedan continues buying spree

A $2.2 million colt by brilliant young sire Gun Runner led the penultimate session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s spring sale of 2-year-olds in training as owner Amr Zedan continued a high-end buying spree.

OBS reported 158 horses sold Thursday, during the third of four sessions at the flagship sale, for a total of $21,001,000. In last year's comparable third session, 176 sold for $23,745,500. Thursday's average price was $132,918 compared to $134,918 in 2022; the dip was only 1 percent. The median price rose 8 percent, to $66,000 from $61,000. The buyback percentage continues to trend upward in a selective marketplace, finishing at 26 percent compared to 14 percent.

Zedan, with bloodstock agent Donato Lanni signing his tickets as agent this week, has purchased the three most expensive horses thus far at the OBS spring sale – the $1.45 million Arrogate colt who topped Tuesday's opening session; the $900,000 Frosted colt who led Wednesday's action; and now, the $2.2 million Gun Runner colt, from the consignment of de Meric Sales, as agent.

Gun Runner, the 2017 Horse of the Year, shattered the North American freshman earnings record when his first crop went to the races in 2021. That crop went on to produce additional Grade 1 winners, including Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting. Gun Runner's second crop includes current Kentucky Derby hopeful Disarm.

This colt, from Gun Runner's third crop, worked a furlong in 10 1/5 seconds during last week's under-tack preview show on the Ocala Training Center's all-weather Safetrack. He is out of the stakes-winning Majesticperfection mare Perfect Wife, whose first starter is Runaway Wife, a Grade 3-placed full sister to this colt.

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