OBS spring: Mineshaft colt leads opening session

A Mineshaft colt sold for $550,000 to lead Monday’s opening session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. spring sale of 2-year-olds in training, which concluded with a small drop in gross receipts and a higher buyback rate but increases in average and median prices compared with the opening session in 2013.

OBS reported 173 2-year-olds sold on Monday for revenues of $11,512,000, a one percent decline compared with 2013, when 202 horses went for $11,632,000. The session’s average price of $66,543 increased 16 percent compared with $57,584 last year, and the $45,000 median jumped 27 percent from $35,500. The buyback rate during the opening session was 24 percent, up substantially from 13 percent in 2013. The session topper was one of nine juveniles to sell for $200,000 or more and one of 38 2-year-olds to reach the six-figure mark. Thirty-four juveniles sold for $100,000 or more during last year’s opener.

Arkansas owner Frank Fletcher purchased the Mineshaft colt, who was consigned by Eisaman Equine. The chestnut colt is out of the winning Deputy Minister mare Kelly Pond, who is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Talinum. His female family includes group stakes winners from England, France, South Africa, and New Zealand, including 2013 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Atlante. The colt breezed one furlong in 10 1/5 seconds during the presale under-tack show.

A son of Bellamy Road sold for $340,000 to David Clark as the second highest-priced juvenile of Monday’s session. The bay colt, who was consigned by Bo Hunt, agent, also breezed an eighth of a mile in 10 1/5 seconds during the under-tack show. Out of the winning Linkage mare Long Drive Home, the colt is a half-brother to stakes winner Out for a Spin and to Grade 3-placed Wise Action. Long Drive Home is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Home At Last and Grade 3 winner Niner’s Home.

A daughter of the late Harlan’s Holiday sold for $270,000, the highest price for a filly at the session. Narvick International purchased the bay filly from de Meric Sales, agent. She is out of the winning A. P. Jet mare Garden Party, who is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Without Feathers. The filly breezed a furlong in 10 seconds flat at the under-tack show.

The second of four OBS spring sessions begins at 10:30 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday. The sale continues through Thursday.

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