Sharp declines at first OBS August open session

The first open session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. August yearling sale on Wednesday did not paint a rosy picture of the lower-level marketplace, with steep declines across the board. An $80,000 Kantharos colt topped the session.

Wednesday’s session saw 207 yearlings sold for a combined $1,770,300, a drop in gross of 44 percent from last year’s comparable session, when 210 horses brought $3,141,200.

The average sale price declined 43 percent from $14,958 to $8,552, while the median fell 53 percent from $10,000 to $4,700.

The buyback rate finished at 37 percent, compared to 20 percent at last year’s first open session.

Five horses sold for $50,000 or more on Wednesday, compared to nine to do so during last year's corresponding session.

De Meric Stables, as agent, purchased the session-topping Kantharos colt.

The chestnut colt is out of the winning Cloud Hopping mare Miss Skeetd, who is the dam of two winners from three foals to race, including Grade 3 winner Mr. Jordan, who is a full brother to the session-topper. The hammer price made the colt the most expensive foal out of Miss Skeetd to sell as a yearling at public auction, surpassing the $63,000 Mr. Jordan.

Bred in Florida by Philip and Karen Matthews, the colt is from the family of Grade 3 winner Rizzi Girl and Grade 3-placed stakes winner Papi Chullo. He was consigned by Summerfield Sales, agent.

Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield Sales finished as Wednesday’s leading consignor by gross, with 32 horses sold for a combined $358,400, including the session-topper.

De Meric Stables was the top buyer, with three purchases totaling $157,000.

The OBS August sale concludes on Thursday, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern.