by Cynthia McFarland

News outlets might be reporting that the recession is ending, but economic indicators said otherwise at the close of the first session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. fall mixed sale.

OBS reported 132 horses as sold for a total of $1,467,900, down 24% from $1,931,600 in total sales at last year’s first session. The average price of $11,120 dropped 39% from $18,223 in 2008, and the median price fell 50% to $6,000 from $12,000 during last year’s preferred session. The buy-back rate improved from 54.1% in 2008 to 40.3%.

“There were some bright spots, but not enough of them,” said Tom Ventura, OBS general manager and director of sales. “The sale toppers had what it took, but below the top horses it’s a very difficult market and the buyers certainly have the edge in being as particular as they choose to be.”

Baccari Bloodstock went to $77,000 to take home the session topper, a Florida-bred weanling colt from the first crop of 2006 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Jazil. Consigned by Barry Menefee, agent, the bay colt is out of the Pentelicus mare Pelicus Affair, a half sister to Grade 2 winner Pine Dance and stakes winner Village Dancer.

“I bought him for a partnership. We may resell him as a yearling or we may race him, but I don’t just buy to pinhook,” said Chris Baccari, who added that he can definitely see keeping the colt to race. “I like the sire and think the horse has a good shot.”

“He was a homebred and I think he’s very athletic,” Menefee said of the first Jazil weanling to sell at public auction. “We thought he’d bring close to that, so we’re real happy. I think the decent horses are bringing decent money.”
 
Menefee also consigned a Pomeroy filly, another homebred, who Baccari Bloodstock purchased for $50,000. The bay filly is out of the Sheikh Albadou (GB) mare Memory Rock, a half sister to stakes winners Mountain Range and Royal Vindication.

T-Square Stud, agent, sold the session’s highest-priced broodmare as Lakes Folly, a seven-year-old Exploit mare in foal to classic winner and classic sire Birdstone, brought $50,000. La Mulera Corp. purchased the dark bay or brown mare out of stakes winner Circus Toons. Lakes Folly is a half sister to four winners, including German Group 3 winner Love Regardless.

“I liked both the mare and the stallion she’s bred to,” said Afredo Ronso, who signed the ticket on behalf of Ocala-based La Mulera, a new Thoroughbred operation. “I think we got a very good deal with that mare.”

“My reserve was $49,000. If she didn’t bring her reserve, I was happy to keep her,” said consignor Adam Parker of T-Square Stud, who specifically bought the mare earlier this year with the idea of breeding her to Birdstone. “For me, it was a home run. My wife and I bought her for $1,100 here at OBS in January. The mare has a wonderful pedigree. We just caught her at the right time in the sale. She was near the end and was barren.” 

Twin Peaks Racing, which took home the sale topper at last year’s sale, paid $52,000 for a chestnut filly by Yes It’s True out of the Grade 2-placed Carson City mare City College. The session’s top-priced filly is a half sister to three winners, including stakes-placed Trinity College. She was consigned by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield as agent.

The sale concludes Tuesday as the final session gets under way at 10:30 a.m. EDT.

Cynthia McFarland is a Florida-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent