OBS yearling sale select session gross, average, median rise

A colt by Mitole and a filly by The Factor shared the top price of $210,000 as the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s fall yearling sale began with gains on Tuesday.

The opening session of the OBS sale was designated as the select session, with the perceived highest-quality horses, while the bulk of the catalog will follow in an open session on Wednesday. OBS reports the figures for each session as a separate sale, rather than cumulatively.

OBS reported 125 yearlings sold in the select session for gross receipts of $6,101,000 compared with 104 yearlings bringing $4,539,000 a year ago in the comparable select session.

The session's average price was $48,808, up 12 percent compared with $43,644 last year. The median jumped 25 percent, to $40,000 from $32,000 in 2021. The buyback percentage did rise to 33 percent, compared to 22 percent.

The two session-leading yearlings were purchased by D. J. Stable. First to the ring was the colt from the first crop of champion sprinter Mitole. The colt, consigned by Bobby Jones Equine, as agent, is the first foal out of the unraced Uncle Mo mare Eenie Meenie Miney. That mare is a half-sister to graded/group stakes winners Eons, Giant Gizmo, and Tableaux.

About an hour later, D.J. Stable struck again for the filly by The Factor, who got a significant catalog update recently. The filly is out of the unraced Medaglia d'Oro mare Honey Trap, whose first foal is Delight, winner of the Grade 2 Jessamine Stakes on opening day at Keeneland.

The filly, who was consigned by Stuart Morris, as agent, is also from the family of Grade 1 winner Pacific Squall.

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