A Tapit filly brought an Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company record bid of $1.9
million for a juvenile at Wednesday’s second session of the Spring Sale of
Two-Year-Olds in Training. Consigned by Woodford Thoroughbreds, agent, Hip No.
439 was gaveled down to Solis/Litt.
The price surpassed the previous OBS record of $1.8 million, set first by a
Belong to Me colt sold by Wavertree Stables (Ciaran Dunne), agent to Buzz Chace,
agent, at the 2006 March Sale. That price was equaled at the 2013 March Sale by
a Smart Strike colt, consigned by King’s Equine, agent, and sold to Stonestreet
Stables.
The previous Spring Sale record was $975,000 for a Distorted Humor colt,
consigned by Niall Brennan for the Estate of John Franks, and sold to John
Ferguson, agent, at the 2004 sale.
The April 15 Kentucky-bred was reared by Silver Wolf (Silver Deputy), a
half-sister to Grade 1 winner Corinthian (Pulpit) and Grade 2 victor Desert Hero
(Sea Hero). This extended family also includes multiple Grade 1 winner Jade
Robbery (Mr. Prospector), and the gray filly traces back to noted producer
*Rough Shod II (Gold Bridge).
Previously sold for $335,000 at Keeneland September, the record-setter worked
one furlong in :10 1/5 at last week’s under tack show.
A colt by classic winner and champion Summer Bird sold to Frank Fletcher
Racing Operations for $500,000. Consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds,
agent, he toured the ring as Hip 395.
The March 26 Kentucky-bred was reared by See Rock City (Tapit), making him a
half-brother to the Grade 3-placed One More (Holy Bull). See Rock City is
herself a half-sister to stakes winners Urban Guy (Marquetry) and Object of
Virtue (Partner’s Hero).
Previously sold for $60,000 as a Fasig-Tipton July yearling, the colt worked
one furlong in :10 at the under tack show.
At the conclusion of trading Wednesday, 152 juveniles sold for $13,266,700, a
dip of 16.6 percent from the corresponding session in 2014 when 207 horses
brought $15,916,500. Aided by the Tapit filly, the session average rose 13.5
percent, from $76,891 to $87,281, while the median increased 11.1 percent, from
$45,000 to $50,000.
At the sale’s halfway point, 326 juveniles have sold for $23,448,900, down
15.9 percent from a year ago when 393 two-year-olds grossed $27,869,000. The
average is up 1.4 percent, from $70,913 to $71,929, while the median has risen
11.1 percent, from $45,000 to $50,000.
The sale continues Thursday and Friday with sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m.
(EDT). For full results, visit obssales.com.