OBS yearling sale concludes with another strong session

A $170,000 Ransom the Moon colt led the way as the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s October yearling sale's open session concluded the auction with major gains on Wednesday evening.

The two-day OBS October sale was structured with its perceived highest-quality horses as a select session on Tuesday, with the bulk of the catalog following in an open session on Wednesday. OBS reports figures for each session as a separate sale, and both finished with gains, continuing trends seen throughout the yearling season this year as the marketplace has roared back from the challenges of 2020.

After a $170,000 Midnight Storm colt led the select session on Tuesday, helping to fuel a 15 percent gain in average and 14 percent jump in the median, OBS reported 276 horses sold in the Wednesday open session for gross receipts of $5,173,500. The 2020 open session finished with 258 sold for $2,811,900.

Wednesday's average price was 18,745, soaring 72 percent from $10,899 in the comparable open session last year. The median doubled, to $15,000 from $7,500. The buyback rate also continued to improve, finishing at 18 percent for the session compared to 21 percent.

The session-topper was purchased by Redwings from the consignment of Lisa McGreevy's Abbie Road Farm, as agent. Abbie Road also consigned the Midnight Storm colt who led the select session at the same price point.

This is the first crop for Ransom the Moon, a Grade 1-winning sprinter by Malibu Moon. His session topper is out of the Aikenite mare Bold Lady, who is a half-sister to Grade 1-placed stakes winner Mambo in Seattle; to Sky Beam, the dam of graded stakes winner Sky Kingdom; and to Seattle Sunset, the dam of Japanese group stakes winner Stay in Seattle.

Their dam, Grade 1-placed Weekend in Seattle, is a full sister to Hall of Famer A.P. Indy, a classic winner, champion, and influential sire. Malibu Moon is a son of A.P. Indy, creating an intriguing cross within the family.

This is also the family of classic winner and champion Lemon Drop Kid; classic winner and classic sire Summer Squall; of Breeders' Cup Mile winner Court Vision; Epsom Derby winner Ruler of the World; and Grade/Group 1 winners including Bee Jersey, Duke of Marmalade, Happy Saver, Surprising Soul, and Wolfhound.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.