The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training in Ocala, Florida, concluded with record-setting average and median sales figures, nearly matching last year’s gross sales, and featured notable purchases by Donato Lanni, including a $1.9 million filly by Tiz the Law, amidst a strong international and domestic buyer presence.
‣ The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training concluded with a new sales record average and median, showcasing a strong market for young racehorses.
‣ International and domestic buyers, including notable purchases by Donato Lanni on behalf of various clients, contributed to the sale’s success, indicating a broad and growing interest in the quality of stock offered.
‣ Despite a record-setting performance, the sale faced challenges with a significant number of horses catalogued not going through the auction ring, pointing to areas for future improvement in the sales process.
By Jessica Martini & Stefanie Grimm.
Ocala, FL had its moment in the spotlight. The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training wrapped up with a bang. Friday’s session was electric, with bids flying as the four-day event closed in Central Florida. A new sales record was set for average and median prices, nearly topping last year’s peak figures.
“It certainly felt like it picked up here at the end,” OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski shared. He was thrilled. The numbers were nudging last year’s record. “And so, we feel good to be within striking distance of it again this year.”
Over four days, 630 horses found new owners. They fetched a gross of $81,994,000. The average sale price nudged just ahead of last year’s record, setting a new one at $130,149. Meanwhile, the median price leaped by 7.7% to a new record of $70,000.
The 2023 Spring sale was even more impressive. A total of 698 horses sold for $90,805,000. “The record median reflects the broad buying bench at the Spring sale,” Wojciechowski noted. The international buyers’ bench is expanding, a positive sign for growth. Domestically, buyers like Donato Lanni were very active, clearly satisfied with their purchases.
Speaking of Lanni, he was on a buying spree. He snagged the top offering at each of the auction’s four sessions. His most notable purchase was a filly by Tiz the Law for $1.9 million. Other significant buys included a $775,000 daughter of Caracaro and a Nyquist colt for $550,000.
On Friday, Lanni wasn’t done. He acquired a Nyquist filly for $850,000 and another colt by the same sire for $525,000. In total, Lanni invested $7,010,000 in nine juveniles. Under the Three Amigos buying name, he added three more lots for $2,175,000.
The sale’s top price was a standout. The $1.9-million filly was the auction’s only seven-figure juvenile, a slight dip from last year. Yet, the sale matched its 2023 number of horses fetching $500,000 or more, with 28 hitting that mark.
Despite these highs, not every horse cataloged made it to the ring. Out of 1,208 horses listed, only 783 were offered. The buy-back rate stood at 19.5%, a point of disappointment for Wojciechowski.
The market in Ocala was described as “spotty” by consignors and buyers. High-quality horses were in demand, while others struggled to find buyers. It’s a familiar pattern, but this year felt more intense.
Donato Lanni’s success continued with another Nyquist purchase from Wavertree Stables. He bought a colt on Thursday and a filly early Friday, spending $850,000 on the latter. The filly, out of the unraced Amagansett, comes from a family of Group 1 winners. Susan Chu, the buyer, has a keen interest in fillies, aiming to bolster her breeding program.
Bobby Flay, the breeder and celebrity chef, sold a colt by Uncle Mo for $685,000. The McKinzie colt, hip 995, fetched $725,000, impressing with its fluid action and strong finish during the under-tack show. John Kimmel and Nick Sallusto, bidding for Sean Flanagan, were thrilled with the purchase.
Saul Marquez celebrated a second OBS Spring sale success. His Caliente Thoroughbreds consigned hip 995, which sold for $725,000. Last year, Marquez sold a future graded winner, showcasing his eye for talent.
Early in Friday’s session, Joe Orseno secured an Uncle Mo colt for $685,000. The colt, boasting a strong pedigree, was galloped instead of breezed, a strategy that paid off despite concerns about its impact on the sale price.
On Point Training and Sales had a good day too. Their Tiz the Law filly sold for $600,000 to Donato Lanni. The filly, an easy keeper with a promising walk, was a steal at just $30,000 at Saratoga last August.
Angel Hernandez had a rewarding sale with a McKinzie colt selling for $350,000. Despite the colt’s striking appearance, Hernandez was drawn to its strong physique and impressive pedigree. The sale marked a high point for Hernandez, who has been consigning under his own name for just two years.
In the world of horse sales, unpredictability is the only guarantee. Yet, the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training proved once again that quality and pedigree reign supreme, drawing buyers from around the globe and setting new records in the process.
