April Sale Gains Momentum

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's April Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, which began strongly Monday, only gained strength during Tuesday's second session in Ocala, Florida. During a brisk day of selling, 196 horses grossed $15,573,000. The average was $79,454–up 27.5% from a year ago–and the median was $48,500–up 21.3%. The buy-back rate, which remains fluid as private sales are filtered in, was 18.7%. 
    “It was another great day,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “You could really feel the momentum of the sale picking up throughout the day.” 
    During yesterday's session, 44 horses sold for $100,000 or more, compared to 26 a year ago. 
    “There was strength all the way through the market all the way through the day,” Wojciechowski said. “Hopefully that strength continues through the next two days.” 
    Through two days, OBS has sold 380 juveniles for a total of $27,543,500–up from a year ago when 415 horses grossed $24,904,500. The average is $72,483, up 20.8% from last year's corresponding figure of $60,011, and the median is $47,000, up 27% from the 2013 figure of $37,000. 
    “We came in optimistic that we were going to have a good sale, but I would say that we're ecstatic with how strong it's been,” Wojciechowski commented. “A lot of it is a testament to the quality of horses that consignors brought. We've heard comment after comment about how impressed people are with the quality of horses here this year.” 
    The April sale has continued to gain strength in the last few years and Wojciechowski acknowledged those results have changed how consignors perceive the auction. 
    “April holds a different place in their minds now as they start placing their horses for the season and that has been going on for the last couple of years,” he said. “It just seems to be having an upward spiraling effect for us.” 
    The auction saw a new top price Tuesday when Jim Martin, bidding on behalf of Mike Repole, went to $725,000 to secure a son of Tapit. Consigned by de Meric Sales, the juvenile was one of six youngsters to make $300,000 or more during the session, bringing the two-day total to eight. There were five over that level at this point in last year's auction. 
DeMeric Sales was the session's leading consignor, with 17 sold for $1,624,000. Gary Contessa was the leading buyer, with four purchased for $795,000. 
    The four-day April sale continues Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.