OBS Winter: Horses of racing age segment posts improved average, median

The horses of racing age portion of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. winter mixed sale continued to show increased buyer interest in its third year of existence, as Thursday’s session finished with improved average and median figures.

OBS reported a total of 96 horses sold during the session for revenues of $1,603,400, a decrease of 2 percent compared with last year’s horses of racing age portion, where 106 sold for $1,629,000. The average price of $16,702 was an improvement of 9 percent compared with $15,368 in 2013, while the median spiked 27 percent, from $8,250 to $10,500. This year marked the first time an full day’s session was devoted to horses of racing age.

The buyback rate for the horses of racing age section rose slightly to 23 percent after finishing at 20 percent in 2013.
A pair of horses topped the session, each bringing $75,000.

Stuart Simon, agent for Russ McLellan, purchased Zensational Storm, an unraced 3-year-old colt from Zensational’s first crop. Consigned by Paul Sharp, agent, the chestnut colt breezed three furlongs in 34 seconds during Monday’s under-tack show.

Zensational Storm is out of the stakes-placed Storm Boot mare Storming Starlet. The Ontario-foaled colt, bred by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings, is from the family of Grade 1 winner Seattle Smooth.

Also finishing with the co-highest price of the day was Pushingonastring, a 5-year-old Distorted Humor gelding, who went to The Farm on 4 LLC. Pushingonastring has won three of five starts for earnings of $59,510, and entered the sale off a two-length victory in an optional claiming race at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 15.

Bred in Kentucky by International Equities Holding, Inc., Pushingonastring is out of the unraced Stravinsky mare Luna Bella. He is from the family of Australian Group 2 winner Hips Don’t Lie and New Zealand Group 3 winner Rhythm. Pushingonastring was consigned by Tristan and Valery de Meric’s TdM Sales, agent.

TdM Sales was the leading consignor by gross during the horses of racing age session, selling four horses for a combined $167,500.

Joseph Brocklebank, agent, was Thursday’s leading buyer, with eight purchases totaling $142,000.

The OBS winter mixed sale concludes on Friday with an open session, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.