Ocala sale: $200K Mizzen Mast pair top a second day of gains

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A pair of $200,000-plus Mizzen Mast juveniles lifted the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s April 2-year-old sale to a second consecutive day of significant gains Tuesday.

A $240,000 Mizzen Mast colt and a $210,000 Mizzen Mast filly were the top sellers Tuesday at the auction’s second of four sessions in Ocala, Fla.

The session sold 214 juveniles for $7,161,600, an 11 percent increase from last year’s total for 209 horses, and the session average of $33,465 was up 9 percent. The median price, $420,000, was the same as it was at last year’s equivalent session. But, as at Monday’s opening session, the buy-back rate also increased, rising from 2010’s figure of 17 percent to 23 percent.

The session topper was Hip No. 679, the $240,000 Mizzen Mast colt that Paul Sharp, agent, sold to bloodstock agent Patrice Miller of EQB Inc. Currently named Take a Picture, the bay colt is out of the Unbridled mare Copper Rose, a half-sister to graded winner Namaqualand and stakes-placed Lemon Dove. At the April 13 under-tack show he worked a quarter in 21 seconds.

Hip No. 516, a gray or roan Mizzen Mast filly out of Baby Lets Cruise, went to Narvick International for $210,000. Costanzo Sales consigned the Mizzen Mast filly, a half-sister to stakes-placed Quick Ride currently named Cruisen Mizzy. She worked an eighth-mile in 10 seconds during the under-tack show. Her family includes Grade 1 winner Jade Hunter.

The OBS April auction was to continue through April 21 at the OBS facility in Ocala. Sessions begin daily at 10:30 a.m.