Ocala Breeders' expanded March sale average well up from 2022

Led by a $2 million colt who equaled the sale-record price, this year's expanded Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s March sale of 2-year-olds in training posted a gain in average and a steady median to open the North American juvenile sale season on a positive note.

OBS reported 460 horses sold during the three-session auction that ended Wednesday for gross receipts of $71,110,500. During last year's two-session sale, 374 juveniles brought $49,371,633.

“There was no master plan to have a larger catalog, it just came organically,” OBS director of sales Tod Wojciechowski told the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association. “Certainly, the number of horses that enter our March sale has increased over the years because the consignors have done such a great job of picking spots to sell their horses and this year, they seem to like the idea of selling in March."

A $2 million colt from the second crop of Good Magic led five seven-figure lots at this week's sale. His Tuesday price equaled the record $2 million paid for Chestertown at the 2019 edition of this sale. With those high-ticket offerings leading the way, the March sale's average price finished at $154,588. That was a gain of 17 percent from a cumulative $132,008 in 2022, when the sale achieved four seven-figure horses, led by a $1.2 million More Than Ready colt.

:: DRF BREEDING LIVE: Real-time coverage of breeding and sales

The median and buyback rate are considered key figures in illustrating market health and activity, as they are less likely to be influenced by outlying prices at the top end of the market like average and gross can be.

The March sale's median was steady at $75,000. The buyback rate was a respectable 21 percent in what has developed into a selective marketplace for young horses. The 2022 median was an outstanding 12 percent.

The sale-topping Good Magic colt was purchased by bloodstock agent Donato Lanni on behalf of Amr Zedan's Zedan Racing from the consignment of Top Line Sales, as agent.

On Twitter, Zedan said he was "beyond thrilled" to add the colt to his stable.

"So much to love about [him]," Zedan Racing's official account posted.

The Good Magic colt had distinguished himself by breezing a furlong in a co-bullet 9 3/5 seconds on the Ocala Training Center's all-weather Safetrack surface during last week's under-tack preview show.

"All I can say is we are blessed beyond measure," the Top Line Sales Twitter account of Jimbo and Torie Gladwell posted of consigning the bullet-working session topper. "Surrounded by love and support, can’t do it without this amazing team of people on and off the farm. So excited for Zedan and his team! Can’t wait to see [how the colt] progresses in the future."

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and Eclipse Award champion Good Magic was last year’s second-leading freshman sire by earnings, and is the sire of Grade 1 winner Blazing Sevens; graded stakes winners Curly Jack, Dubyuhnell, Reincarnate, Vegas Magic; and stakes winners Bat Flip and How Did He Do That.

His second-crop colt who led OBS March is out of the winning Uncle Mo mare Hoppa. Grade/Group 1 winners Hit the Road, Rollout the Carpet, and War Command appear on the catalog page.

The second-highest price of the sale was also garnered by a second-crop sire, as Triple Crown winner Justify was represented by a $1.2 million colt, purchased by the partnership of the WinStar Farm-affiliated Maverick Racing and Siena Farm from the consignment of Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, as agent. The colt had breezed a furlong in 10 seconds flat during the under-tack show.

:: Get Daily Racing Form Past Performances – the exclusive home of Beyer Speed Figures

Justify was third on last year's freshman earnings list behind Bolt d'Oro and Good Magic. Justify’s high-ticket colt is out of the Grade 3-placed Smart Strike mare Zinzay, the dam of four winners from five starters. Those include Grade 1-placed stakes winner Moon Over Miami. Zinzay is a half-sister to Distorted Music, the dam of graded stakes winner She Can't Sing. Grade/Group 1 winners Music Note, Musical Chimes, and Mystic Guide appear on the catalog page.

A $1.05 million colt from the final crop of champion Arrogate was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida from agent Tom McCrocklin's consignment. Out of Grade 3 winner Georgie's Angel, the colt is a full brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Cave Rock.

Rounding out the seven-figure lots at OBS March were a $1 million Twirling Candy colt from the family of Grade 1 winner Complexity, purchased by Jeff Mackor on behalf of Sean Flanagan from the consignment of Eddie Woods, as agent; and a $1 million Munnings filly from the family of Grade 1 winner Chaposa Springs, with Lanni signing on behalf of Frank Fletcher Racing from the McCrocklin consignment.

For hip-by-hip results, click here.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.