By Brian DiDonato
With a slightly smaller catalogue, Tuesday's select session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's August Yearling Sale saw markedly similar trade to the 2014 renewal. A total of 144 horses sold for a combined $6,609,000, compared to last year's gross of $7,830,700 from 26 more horses changing hands after accounting for private sales. Forty eight horses failed to meet their reserve for an RNA rate of 25%–an improvement from last year's mark of 27%. Average dipped by a negligible $167, while the $35,000 median mirrored last year's figure.
Topping the session was hip 214, an Arch filly secured by Niall Brennan on behalf of owner Marc Keller for $320,000. Beth Bayer, Agent XVIII consigned the bay on behalf of her breeder, Tom Mara's Whitehall Lane Farm. Out of MSW and GSP Citizen Advocate (Proud Citizen), hip 214 hails from the family of Grade I winners Hymn Book (Arch) and Data Link (War Front).
“I did think [hip 214] would do really well–I just didn't know how well,” offered Bayer, who sold the top two yearlings at last year's sale, as well as the OBSAUG topper in 2012. “She had lots of vetting and the right people on her… I was expecting her to bring good money, but was pleasantly surprised when she topped the sale. I've had her all along–I prepped her, she did everything right. She jumped through all the hoops: she vetted, has a nice pedigree, walk and a great attitude. She just did everything right.”
Of the market as a whole, Bayer, the session's second-leading consignor with 17 head selling for a combined $930,000, said, “It was spotty–definitely spotty. If you had a horse, and it had all the action on it and things like that, it did end up bringing the money. But it definitely was a little tough.”
Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck's Summerfield was top consignor Tuesday, with 17 yearlings bringing $1,157,500. Among Summerfield's offerings were the second and third-highest prices of the day–a pair of colts from the first crop of WinStar resident Gemologist who brought $280,000 (hip 190) and $240,000 (hip 186), respectively. Gary Broad secured hip 190, while EQB's Patrice Miller, acting on behalf of Zayat Stables, scooped up hip 186.
Nick de Meric's de Meric Stables led all buyers with six purchases for a combined $592,000.
The OBS August Yearling sale continues with open sessions Wednesday and Thursday, each beginning at 11:00 a.m. Visit obssales.com for more information.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
