Union Rags colt sells for $165,000 at first session of OBS winter mixed sale

A yearling colt by Union Rags sold for $165,000 to lead Tuesday’s opening session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s winter mixed sale, the penultimate sale of the mixed sale season.

The colt, who sold to Blue Sky Stables, was just the second horse through the ring at Tuesday’s session, designated as a consignor-preferred session of broodmares and prospects, yearlings, and horses of racing age. Wednesday’s second and final session is designated as an open session. A total of 152 horses across all sections of the market changed hands on Tuesday for a total of $3,227,900, compared to 170 horses sold for $2,971,100 last year. The average price finished at $21,236, a jump of 22 percent compared to $17,477 in 2019.

OBS reported that the median price for the catalog section comprising broodmares and yearlings was $13,000, up 8 percent from $12,000 for the comparable offerings last year. For the horses of racing age, OBS reported a median of $11,000, up 22 percent from $9,000. The buyback rate for mares and yearlings was 38 percent, compared to 27 percent last year. The rate for the horses of racing age was relatively stable, at 15 percent compared to 16 percent.

The session-leading Union Rags colt was consigned by Pelican State Thoroughbreds, as agent. He is out of the Mr. Greeley mare La Milanesa, whose two winners from three starters are led by stakes winner Ginger N Rye. The colt's second dam is stakes winner Hometown Queen, whose multiple Grade 1 placings included a runner-up effort in the 1987 Kentucky Oaks. That makes La Milanesa a half sister to Grade 2-winning millionaire Bowman's Band, the sire of champion Groupie Doll, and to Etats Unis, the dam of Grade 2-winning millionaire Pollard's Vision, the sire of champion Blind Luck. Hometown Queen is a half-sister to Viviana, the dam of multiple Grade 1 winners Sightseek and Tates Creek. This is the extended family of champions Chief's Crown, Chris Evert, Deep Sky, Dr Action, Faaz, Giulia, Special Duty, and Winning Colors, and additional Grade 1/Group 1 winners Classic Crown, Confessional, Dominican, Eskimo Kisses, Etoile Montante, Excellent Art, Expert Eye, Kings Will Dream, Lambent Light, Missed the Storm, Perfect Alibi, and Tap Dance City.

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