Congrats filly tops final OBS session at $1.7 million

Filly offerings dominated the second and final session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training on Wednesday, led by a daughter of Congrats that brought a sale-high $1.7 million from Kerri Radcliffe, agent. Hip No. 360 was consigned by McKathan Bros. agent.

Out of Azalea Belle, an unraced daughter of Dixie Union and the Grade 2-winning Westerly Breeze, the February 13 Kentucky-bred is from the family of Grade 3 winner Officer Rocket and multiple Grade 3-placed stakes winner Jacksonport.

Previously sold as a yearling for $60,000 at Keeneland January and for $250,000 at Keeneland September, the filly worked one furlong in :9 4/5 at the under tack show.

The first seven-figure seller of the day was a filly by Tapit that brought $1.1 million from OXO Equine LLC. Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, agent, the March 26 Kentucky-bred toured the ring as Hip 349.

Out of Arienza, a Grade 2-placed daughter of Giant's Causeway, the filly counts as her second dam three-time champion older mare, Horse of the Year, and Hall of Famer Azeri. The latter's most prominent runner to date was the Grade 2-winning Wine Princess.

Previously named Argusto, the filly was an RNA for $260,000 at Keeneland September and worked a quarter-mile in :21 2/5 at the under tack show.

OXO Equine was also the winning bidder at $1.050 million for an Arch colt, also consigned by McCrocklin acting as agent. The April 6 Kentucky-bred was offered as Hip 515.

Out of Enhancing, by Forestry, the colt counts as his second dam 1995 champion three-year-old filly Heavenly Prize, who reared multiple Grade 1 winner Good Reward and Grade 2 scorer Pure Prize. Grade 1 winner Persistently is also descended from this line. Counting Oh What a Dance as his third dam, the Arch colt is closely related to Tuesday's session topper by Orb, who sold for $1.25 million.

Led out unsold after a $110,000 bid at Keeneland September, the colt worked two furlongs in :20 4/5 at the under tack show.

Robert & Lawana Low purchased a son of Pioneerof the Nile for $1 million. Hip 586 was offered by Eddie Woods, agent.

The March 12 Kentucky-bred is out of Heavenly Vision, a Forestry half-sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Cairo Prince. He counts as his second dam multiple stakes winner Holy Bubbette, who is also the second dam of 2016 Wood Memorial (G1) winner Outwork.

Last sold as a $240,000 Keeneland November weanling, the colt worked a quarter-mile in :20 4/5 at the under tack show.

Gross and average saw gains for the session while the median declined. On Wednesday, 152 horses sold for $29,791,500, a rise of 19.8 over the comparable session in 2016 when 151 head brought $24,869,500. The average was up 19 percent, from $164,699 to $195,997, while the median dipped 10 percent, from $100,000 to $90,000.

The final figures for the two-day auction also saw rises in gross and average with a small decline in median. At the conclusion of selling, 300 juveniles had sold for $56,627,000, an increase of 10.4 percent from a year ago when 320 grossed $51,288,000. The average rose 17.8 percent, from $160,275 to $188,757, while the median was off 2.4 percent, from $102,500 to $100,000.

Full results can be viewed at obssales.com.