Ocala sale declines continue

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's August yearling sale's third session Wednesday took place amid concerns that the non-select yearling market would continue to tumble.

The Wednesday session followed two days of double-digit declines. By 5 p.m., with selling still under way, Wednesday's session-leader was a $70,000 Northern Afleet filly that Riley James purchased from Cutting Edge Equine, agent. The filly sold as Hip No. 624 and is the first foal out of the Aptitude mare Apt to Star. She currently is named Aegean.

At Tuesday's session, 204 yearlings sold for $2,334,500, down 18 percent from last year's equivalent session, which sold 218 horses. The average price fell 13 percent, from $13,104 to $11,444. Median fared even worse, falling by 30 percent, from $8,000 last year to $5,600 in 2008. Buybacks soared upward, from 22 percent last year to 35 percent this season.

Tuesday's session-topper was a $100,000 Western Pride-So Much More filly that Eddie Woods, agent, bought from Signature Sales. She is the first foal for her dam, a Grade 3-placed stakes-winner by Chimes Band.

The OBS August yearling auction was to continue through Thursday with sessions beginning daily at 10:30 a.m.