The June sale will be held June 13-15, with a session of horses of racing age included in the auction's final day. Bidding begins each day at 10 a.m.

The post OBS June Under-Tack Show Begins Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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OCALA, FL-The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training reached its halfway mark Wednesday with a familiar name at the top of the sheets as Amr Zedan paid a session-topping $900,000 for a son of Frosted as figures kept largely on par with the auction's record-setting 2022 renewal.

Through two sessions of the four-day auction, 351 juveniles have sold for $45,886,000. The average is down 6.3% from the end-of-day figure from a year ago and the median is down 6.7% to $70,000. The buy-back rate was 18.9%. It was 19.5% at the same point a year ago.

When post-sale transactions are included in the 2022 figures, the median is unchanged at $70,000 and average is almost identical at $131,826.

The Spring sale a year ago had a million-dollar juvenile on each of the auction's four days and the absence of a break-out horse left Wednesday's session feeling a little threadbare.

“We had some fireworks yesterday and maybe there was a disappointment that we didn't have similar fireworks today, but you can't pick how the catalogue goes,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “But I thought it was steady all day. I thought we got a lot of horses traded and I though the action was steady.”

With a pair of $700,000 juveniles leading the way, Wavertree Stables was the session's leading consignor, selling eight lots for $2.4 million.

“It doesn't feel like the easiest market,” Wavertree's Ciaran Dunne said. “We sold two really nice horses really well. It's been sticky in spots, but we are really happy with what we've sold and a little disappointed in what we didn't get done.”

Making two purchases on behalf of Repole Stable, West Bloodstock was the session's leading buyer.

The OBS Spring Sale continues through Friday. Bidding begins each day at 10:30 a.m.

Frosted Colt Another for Zedan

A day after going to a session-topping $1.45 million for a son of Arrogate, trainer Bob Baffert and bloodstock agent Donato Lanni were back in action for Amr Zedan Wednesday at OBS, going to $900,000 to acquire a colt by Frosted (hip 449) from Longoria Training & Sales. The juvenile worked a furlong last week in :9 3/5.

“He was ridiculously fast,” Baffert said of the colt. “He worked beautifully and came out of it well. That's half the battle.”

The colt is out of Handwoven (Indian Charlie), a full-sister to multiple stakes-placed Auspicious.

“This was one of the best horses in the sale, I thought,” Lanni said. “He deserved to bring that kind of money.”

Of the juvenile's sire Frosted, Lanni added, “I believe in the sire. He's still very young and he doesn't have that many crops out there.”

Jesse Longoria and Paul Neatherlin | Jessica Martini

The colt was consigned by Jesse Longoria, who partnered with Paul Neatherlin, the vice president of sales for the Texas-based Platinum Pipe Rentals, to acquire him for $50,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

Asked about the colt's appeal last fall, Longoria said, “The first thing I want to say, because I've been very blessed, I want to thank my Lord and Savior. It's because of him that I am able to do this.”

He continued, “When we saw that horse, I just knew I had to have him. And he has been nothing but a blessing. He was kind of late in the sale. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. And here we are. He's been so easy to train. Everything he did was effortless.”

Longoria said he had spent the spring trying to slow the colt down, so he didn't know what to expect of his work last week.

“We've never been able to turn him loose at home,” Longoria said. “He was always so fast, I was afraid he would get hurt. He was too fast for what he was fit for. So I always had to be really easy with him because he would give you too much.”

Of the $900,000 price tag, Longoria said, “We knew it was going to be good, but we didn't know how good. I am tickled to death by that result.”

Longoria and Neatherlin have been friends for three decades, but this is the first year they have partnered up on pinhooking prospects. The partners, all smiles in the back walking ring Wednesday, readily agreed it wouldn't be their last partnership. “He's been great to work with,” Longoria said of Neatherlin.  @JessMartiniTDN

Justify Colt Sparkles at OBS Spring

Well into Wednesday's second session, a colt by Horse of the Year Justify realized a $750,000 final bid from Mick Wallace, bidding via phone on behalf of Kuldeep Singh Rajput's Gandharvi Racing Stables. Stationed in the back ring, Ben McElroy handled the bidding duties. Consigned by Paul Sharp, Hip 510 breezed an eighth in :10 flat last Tuesday.

“We had appraised him right before the sale and that was right on the money,” said Sharp. “We came in here with quiet confidence. He was a horse on the farm that we really liked. And until you go through the battle, you never know. But we really expected him to do well.”

Paul Sharp | Photos by Z

Outlining several of the May 8 foal's main attributes, Sharp explained, “He's just a really well put together horse. The appeal obviously was his sire. I have quite a few [by Justify] at the farm, and they all train great, so that was the key. In addition to the fact that he worked really well. It was a really spectacular work and the gallop out was one of the best that we have seen.”

“He is no nonsense, just a good horse and people recognize that.”

The bay is out of Iadorakid (Lemon Drop Kid), a half-sister to Canadian champion turf horse El Tormenta (Stormy Atlantic) and graded stakes winner Zero Tolerance (Mizzen Mast). The colt was bred by Idaho native Jason Hall in partnership with BCS Thoroughbreds.

Wallace, formerly Chief Operating Officer with China Horse Club, is very well acquainted with the Ashford Stud stallion, who swept the 2018 American Triple Crown while remaining undefeated. Trained by Bob Baffert, Justify was campaigned by a partnership including China Horse Club.

“He took the eye, physically,” said Wallace of the colt. “Back on the shank, everything appealed to us. Obviously, we had some familiarity with Justify. He was a colt we were keen to acquire. We had to pay a little bit for him, but that's the way things go.”

Confirming where the colt would go next, he added, “He's going to stay in the States. He'll go out to California to Bob Baffert and we'll take our chances out there.”–@CBossTDN

A Homerun for Hall

The reward in the ring of the Justify colt (Hip 510) on Wednesday also provided a broader success for his co-breeder Jason Hall, who has connections with several key members of the immediate female family.

Hall first tasted success with the family when purchasing Iadorakid's dam, Torreadora (El Prado {Ire}), for $8,200 out of the Sam-Son Farm consignment at the Keeneland January sale in 2017. For her breeder, the bargain mare went on to produce El Tormenta, who most notably won the 2019 renewal of the GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile en route to a year-end championship. Hall was not left out in the cold, however, since Torreadora would go on to drop a filly by Mizzen Mast in 2018. Campaigned by Hall in partnership, Zero Tolerance would become the longtime breeder's first graded stakes winner as an owner. According to Hall, that grey mare is in foal to Justify.

“We sold Torreadora after [El Tormenta] won the Grade I in Canada, but we still have Zero Tolerance,” confirmed Hall.

Jason and Silvia Hall | Courtesy Jason Hall

Iadorakid herself was a $130,000 KEENOV purchase in 2019 carrying a colt by Creative Cause, subsequently named Welton. The 3-year-old broke his maiden first time out at Golden Gate in March for trainer Jonathan Wong and Hall in partnership with Custom Truck Accessories and MJVET Stables, and is set to return in a second-level allowance at Golden Gate shortly. RNAing for $80,000 at Keeneland November last fall, Iadorakid is back in foal to Midnight Lute.

Asked about co-breeder BCS Thorougbred with whom he partnered to sell Wednesday's second-highest priced colt, Hall explained, “Scott Carbone is a longtime friend and partner from Louisiana. He was one of my original clients back in the day. We've partnered with several horses over the years.”

He continued, “Our total operation is at over 90 horses right now and I have partners on every single one.  It allows me to diversify and to spread out over 90 rather than own only 20.”

Over the past two days of selling, Hall was also represented in the breeding lines by Hip 239, a colt by Jimmy Creed, who sold for $240,000 and Hip 470, a colt by Munnings who brought $170,000. Bred in partnership, Hall also offers Hip 776, a colt by Tapwrit, who sells Thursday. All of the members of Hall's other offerings at this year's OBS Spring sale are consigned by Marcial Galan.–@CBossTDN

Omaha Beach Filly to Join Cox Barn

A filly by Omaha Beach (hip 532), who worked a furlong in :9 4/5 during last week's under-tack preview, will be joining the barn of trainer Brad Cox after selling for $700,000 to bloodstock agent Clay Scherer, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, Wednesday in Ocala.

“She had a great work,” Scherer said of the filly. “It was really fast, she leveled off, changed leads. She did everything you like to see.”

Clay Scherer | Photos by Z

The bay filly is out of Intelyhente (Smart Strike)–a full-sister to graded winner Bel Air Beauty–and is a half-sister to stakes-placed Count Alexander (Scat Daddy).

The filly was consigned by Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables and was purchased for $200,000 at Keeneland September last year for the Red Wings Enterprises pinhooking partnership of Dunne and Paul Reddam.

Red Wings had pinhooking success at the beginning of Wednesday's session, selling a colt by Bolt d'Oro (hip 320) for $700,000 to Kerri Radcliffe, as agent for Lady Sheila Stable and Partners. That gray had been purchased for $210,000 at Keeneland last fall.

“They were two really nice horses who worked really well,” said Dunne. “They were well-received at the barn and I think they sold well.”

Freshman sire Omaha Beach was represented by a host of speedy juveniles over the OBS track last week and they began delivering in the sales ring Wednesday. In addition to hip 532, the sire had a colt (hip 466) who worked in :9 4/5 who sold for $650,000 to Spendthrift Farm and Nice Guys Stables from the Mayberry Farm consignment.

“The Omaha Beaches are incredibly athletic,” Scherer said. “They do everything the right way. He's a good son of War Front and he comes from a huge family. He's a horse who won the GI Arkansas Derby and another Grade I at seven furlongs. I think, like every other son of War Front, he's going to get you a good horse.” @JessMartiniTDN

Colt Proves Lucky for Arellano, Cortez

Javier Arellano, who has been pinhooking for just three years and admits he buys only three or four yearlings a year while working on budget, hit a home run in the OBS sales ring Wednesday, selling a colt by Lookin At Lucky (hip 570) for $700,000 to Jacob West, bidding on behalf of Repole Stable. Arellano and Alex Cortez purchased the bay for $50,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale.

“Dr. Gustavo Vautier helped me to look at horses,” Arellano, still basking in the glow of the sales success, said. “I liked the colt, I liked the pedigree. Lookin At Lucky is a nice stallion who was doing really well in Chile and I am from Chile. I liked him physically and I was looking at how I thought he would develop in a couple of years. I was looking to see if he would develop into what he looks like right now.”

Javier Arellano | Photos by Z

The bay colt is out of stakes-winner Joffe's Run (Giant's Causeway) and worked a furlong last week in :10 flat.

“We are extremely happy to sell him for that much,” Arellano said. “We were expecting a good result, but not this much, to be honest with you. So we are extremely blessed.”

Arellano was first exposed to racing in his native Chile. Now an insurance inspector in South Florida, he has been involved in racing for just a few years.

“I started racing some and pinhooking seriously two or three years ago,” Arellano said. “And I've been blessed with some good horses, but this is my biggest score so far. It feels great. I can't put it into words. I am just extremely happy.”

He continued, “Alex Cortez is the consignor and my partner on the horse. He does really well. He's a horseman. We are a small operation. I normally try to pinhook three or four horses a year. But we just want to do the right amount–we don't want to pay too much on the pinhooking. It's kind of tough if you buy too expensive to do well down the line.”

Arellano concluded, “This is my passion. I race as well and I love both aspects of the business. Racing is a lot of fun, too, but you see me here, I got a good rush out of this.” @JessMartiniTDN

Arrogate Colt a Highwater Mark for Weiss

When the hammer came down at $1.45 million for a son of Arrogate (hip 253) Tuesday at OBS, it marked a new high sale for his breeder, Jeff Weiss's Rosedown Racing.

“I sold one for $1.1 million [at the 2018 OBS Spring Sale], a beautiful Medaglia d'Oro filly,” Weiss said Wednesday morning. “I didn't think I would beat that, but I did. So I am happy about that.”

Hip 253 | Photos by Z

Still, Weiss admitted it was a bittersweet decision to part with the colt, who was purchased by Amr Zedan and will be joining the Southern California barn of trainer Bob Baffert.

“It was a bit emotional,” he said. “I really liked this horse. He was big, 16.2, and he's fast. I love that combination. And it turns out that Baffert does, too.”

Based in South Florida, Weiss is involved in commercial real estate, with properties throughout the southeast. He has been involved in racing for over a decade.

“I went to my cousin's wedding in Louisville,” Weiss explained of his introduction to the sport. “I met someone who hooked me up with Three Chimneys and I got involved with syndications. And then I went out on my own from there. I really enjoy it. It is my best hobby.”

Weiss currently has six horses in his broodmare band.

“These mares are top of the line,” he said of the group. “Scat Daddys, War Front, Medaglias. They are the best of the best. I bought them to race and most of them got injured, that's how they ended up as broodmares. They are all quality, unbelievable pedigrees.”

The unraced Destine (War Front), who produced the Arrogate colt, went through the sales ring while in foal to Improbable at last year's Keeneland November sale. Rosedown Racing purchased out a partner on the mare for $30,000.

“She just foaled a bay filly on Saturday,” Weiss said. “I am looking at stallions for her. I am looking at Uncle Mo and Justify.” Weiss both races and sells his foals as 2-year-olds. His current racing stable is led by Champions Dream (Justify), who won last year's GIII Nashua S.

Weiss admitted he kept celebrations over the seven-figure sale to a minimum.

“I didn't really do anything,” he said. “I had some fried chicken. Which I never eat because it's too fattening.” @JessMartiniTDN

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OCALA, FL – With plenty of activity at the top of the market, the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training concluded its three-day run with increases in average and median over last year's two-session renewal and five juveniles selling for seven figures, led by a co-record $2-million son of Good Magic.

“I thought it was a really good sale and it held strong all the way through,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “There were quality horses on each day and we sold five horses for over a million dollars. The gross was up substantially, which you would expect because we had a lot more horses, but still there were a lot of good horses. Consignors continue to bring quality horses here and they get rewarded for it.”

Through three sessions, OBS sold 449 horses for a total of $70,399,500. The average was $156,792–up 17.5% from the two-day 2022 figure. The median rose 6.7% to $80,000.

A year ago, 371 horses grossed $49,498,000 for an average of $133,418 and a median of $75,000.

A filly by Munnings, just the second horse through the ring Wednesday, was the fifth of the auction to top seven figures when selling for $1 million to bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, bidding on behalf of Frank Fletcher. She was the second million-dollar horse from the Tom McCrocklin consignment

A total of 24 horses sold for $500,000 or over this year, double last year's total, while the five million-dollar juveniles in 2023 was one more than the 2022 number.

The buy-back rate remained well over 2022 levels throughout the three sessions, concluding at 23.2%. It was 13.7% a year ago. From a catalogue of 833 horses, 585 went through the ring, with 248 outs and 136 buy-backs.

The 2023 catalogue had 198 more head than last year's auction, but only 78 more horses sold.

Asked to assess the strength of the middle market, Wojciechowski said, “There was some middle market here. There always seems to be a flight to quality to the upper end of the market, but I think there was some strength all of the way through.”

Buyers noted the strength of the top end of the market, but were more critical of the middle market.

“The perceived good ones are making all of the money and there is no middle market, there is no money for the others at this sale,” bloodstock agent Marette Farrell said, adding she expected to see a broader buying bench next month at the OBS April sale.

Bloodstock agent Lauren Carlisle agreed with Farrell.

“It was tough,” Carlisle said of the market in Ocala this week. “I've been outbid mostly. I got one yesterday. The colts are very tough. I got a filly yesterday. That's probably the only reason I could buy her was because she was a girl. It seems like people are focusing in on the boys and the really top horses. And if people don't like them, there is a drop-off. Maybe in April, the middle market will come back, there might be more middle buyers.”

And yet demand remained high for those horses who jumped through all the proverbial hoops.

“I think you get rewarded,” said consignor Ciaran Dunne. “The breeze show is the be all and end all and if you perform on the racetrack, you get rewarded and rewarded handsomely. And if you miss, it's like any endeavor, if you play soccer and you miss the goal, you don't get paid.”

De Meric Sales was the leading consignor at the March sale, with 38 head sold for $6,255,000. Mike Ryan was the auction's leading buyer with eight purchased for $2,210,000.

Munnings Filly Produces Fireworks Early at OBS March

Hip 558 | Photos by Z

It didn't take long for the fireworks to begin during Wednesday's third and final session of the OBS March Sale. Digging in for only the second juvenile through the ring, agent Donato Lanni, bidding on behalf of Arkansas businessman Frank Fletcher, extended to $1 million to secure Hip 558, a filly by Munnings. Trainer Chad Brown, bidding from the other side of the pavilion, was the chief underbidder. Offered by Tom McCrocklin, the filly breezed a quarter in :20 4/5 last Thursday.

“She was an exceptional filly, said Lanni, who was flanked by Bill Mott during the bidding. “She worked great and came back good. She was a picture–just a really cool filly.”

According to Lanni, the Hall of Famer will train the filly. Mott also is responsible for Fletcher's MGSW and millionaire Frank's Rockette (Into Mischief), winner of her two recent wins at Gulfstream–the GIII Sugar Swirl S. and GIII Hurricane Bertie S.

“Frank is on a roll and has had a very good winter,” said Lanni. “He loves the game and is good for the business.”

Bred by Springhouse Farm, the bay brought $450,000 from McCrocklin, who signed on behalf of Michael Sucher's Champion Equine after purchasing the bay at last summer's Saratoga Select yearling sale.

“She was an expensive filly going in and is just a beautiful horse,” said McCrocklin. “The idea all along was to put her in a 2-year-old in training sale. It's not conventional, it's a lot of money. But she has really lived up to the expectation. Just a classy filly. She trained well and is very sound. She breezed extremely well and galloped out fast. And she had all the right people on her.”

The Apr. 26 foal is out of In Full Compliance, a daughter of Smart Strike. This is the family of Grade I winners Chaposa Springs and You and I.

According to McCrocklin, the vetting activity surrounding the filly had been swift all week, signaling what was to come on sale day.

“She is a very classy, legitimate filly and I was not shocked she brought a million but you don't ever expect it. But she acted the part,” explained McCrocklin. “I thought she could bring a million. But you have to be a mind reader at that point. What are they thinking. Sometimes with these more expensive horse, somebody just wants the horse. Period. So I was not surprised. But I definitely wasn't counting on it. We had a $599,000 reserve. That's where we were at.”

Explaining the decision to pursue the filly, Lanni added, “Munnings has become quite the sire. And she was just a very elegant filly, so I'm glad we got her.”

McCrocklin enjoyed a banner March sale run, highlighted by a pair of seven-figure juveniles. Tuesday's session saw a colt by Arrogate (Hip 489) bring $1.05 million, in addition to a filly by Arrogate (Hip 526) that realized $950,000. He also sold a colt by Catalina Cruiser (Hip 66) on Day 1 for $400,000. @CBossTDN

Quick Double for Wavertree

Marette Farrell and Wavertree's Ciaran Dunne | Photos by Z

The Wavertree Stables consignment had a pair of high sellers in quick succession during Wednesday's final session of the OBS March sale, as Hideyuki Mori went to $900,000 to acquire a filly by Twirling Candy (hip 600) and just a few hips later, bloodstock agent Marette Farrell went to $925,000 for a colt by Practical Joke (hip 626) on behalf of Speedway Racing. Both juveniles worked in :9 4/5.

Hip 626 is out of Louisiana Voodoo (Big Brown), a half-sister to Grade I-placed Givemeaminit (Star Guitar). Wavertree consigned the colt on behalf of Cypress Creek, which purchased him for $220,000 as a weanling at the 2021 Keeneland November sale.

“He is the first we've had for them really, so it was a bonus out of the blue,” Wavertree's Ciaran Dunne said of the colt. “The horse was started in Louisiana and came to us in December. He couldn't have trained any better than he trained. He was very simple and straightforward, a plain brown wrapper. He showed up every day and went from strength to strength to strength.”

After signing the ticket on the colt on behalf of Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's Speedway operation, Farrell said, “He's a really, really athletic horse with a gorgeous presence. He was very light on his feet. So we loved him on the frontside and Tescha [von Bluecher] loved him on the backside. We saw him at the barn and he used himself very well.”

Farrell hopes the colt follows in the footsteps of Speedway's champion 2-year-old colt Corniche (Quality Road).

“They are looking for a two-turn horse that could be a top-class colt who can go down the path of Corniche and continue on,” Farrell said.

Hip 600 | Photos by Z

Hip 600 is a daughter of stakes-winner Laudation (Congrats), who is out of multiple graded stakes winner Rite Moment (Vicar).

Paul Reddam and Dunne's Red Wings Enterprises pinhooking partnership purchased the filly for $265,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“From day one, we thought she was very, very special,” Dunne said of the juvenile. “Thankfully we weren't the only ones. She was a beautiful yearling when we bought her, as reflected in her price. She has been a good filly all year. We had high expectations and that obviously exceeded them. If they perform on the racetrack and show up at the barn, the sky is the limit.”

Adding to a big hour for the Wavertree consignment, a filly by Into Mischief (hip 639) sold for $550,000 to agent Ben McElroy, bidding on behalf of AMO Racing. The filly had been purchased by Lehigh Bloodstock, the pinhooking partnership spearheaded by Three Diamond Farm's Kirk Wycoff, for $240,000 at Keeneland last September.

Later in Wednesday's session, Wavertree sold a filly by Omaha Beach (hip 752) to Kerri Radcliffe. The juvenile had been purchased by West Bloodstock for $300,000 at Keeneland last September.

With seven horses sold Wednesday for $3,517,000, Wavertree was the session's leading consignor and was the auction's second-leading consignor with 18 head sold for $6,147,000.  @JessMartiniTDN

Colt Justifies the Wait for Childs

Bill Childs waited all week to bid on a colt by Justify (hip 806), ultimately signing for the Niall Brennan-consigned chestnut for $700,000 as the final hips came through the ring at the OBS March sale Wednesday.

“He is the only one I bought,” Childs admitted. “I've been ready to go for two days now, but we really liked him.”

Out of Rebuke (Carson City), the colt is a half-brother to graded-placed Freedom Flyer (Constitution). He was bred by A R Enterprises and RNA'd for $145,000 at last year's Keeneland January sale.

“Of course, he worked in :9 4/5,” Childs said of the colt's appeal. “We liked his family. We liked his conformation. We like everything about him. He'll be going to Bob Baffert in California.”

Childs admitted he was ready to bid higher for the youngster.

“We tried to buy him before the sale,” he said. “So we were tickled to get him for that price.”

Childs and his son Alex, both of Ft. Worth, Texas, spearhead the CSLR Racing partnership. In their first season racing, the partners campaigned the unbeaten Awesome Strong (Awesome Slew), whom they purchased for $500,000 at the Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale last year following his six-length debut victory at Gulfstream. The colt went on to sweep the Florida Stallion series and was named FTHA 2-year-old Champion of 2022. @JessMartiniTDN

Omaha Beach Filly Brings $690K on Day 3

Kerri Radcliffe | Photos by Z

Heading the Spendthrift sire's progeny over the three-day run at OBS March, Hip 752 brought a $690,000 final bid from agent Kerri Radcliffe, signing on behalf of an undisclosed buyer. Consigned by Wavertree Stables, the daughter of MSW Pacific Heat (Unusual Heat) posted a :9 4/5 move during last week's breeze session.

“All the 2-year-old guys here in Florida have been talking about the Omaha Beaches and they really like them,” explained Radcliffe. “I saw this filly in January and absolutely loved her. She had an incredible breeze and physically, I think she is the most beautiful filly in the sale.”

Bred by a partnership of Betz Thoroughbreds, D.J. Stables, Brian Graves and Gainesway, the May 15 foal was a $300,000 purchase at Keeneland last September.

“I liked the Omaha Beaches at the yearling sales,” said Radcliffe, explaining the filly's appeal. “She is also out of a stakes mare and her stride length was impressive. She just checked all the boxes for me.”

She continued, “I purchased her for a new client. Sheila Rosenblum would also like a piece of her as well. I have to make a decision where I am going to send her, but most likely she will go to [Bob] Baffert.”

Radcliffe hopes that lightening can strike again while attempting to purchase another Grade I performer from the Wavertree consignment. Radcliffe was part of the team that unearthed Grade I-performing Nemoralia (More Than Ready) for $170,000 at this venue in 2015 and struck paydirt again when purchasing GI Starlet S. winner Dream Tree (Uncle Mo) for $750,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida sale in 2017. @CBossTDN

All Munnings, All the Time

Hip 598, another Munnings | Photos by Z

The Munnings effect continued later into the sale, with Hip 598, a colt by the Coolmore sire, reeling in a $685,000 final bid from OXO Equine. Handling the bidding duties ringside was agent Christina Jelm, who was on the phone with OXO's Larry Best. Consigned by Eddie Woods, who paid $165,000 for him at Keeneland September, the Apr. 13 foal breezed an eighth in :9 4/5 last week.

“He looks like a sprinter, a horse to have fun with,” said Best via phone.

The colt is out of Laquesta (Lemon Drop Kid), the dam of SW Opus Forty Two (Mendelssohn). This represents the family of GI Santa Anita Derby winner Cupid.

“A very nice horse–not overly big but a stout horse and quick. A real class act,” said Woods. “He's been very easy to be around and has been that way all year. He worked really well and galloped out great. We expected him to sell well.”

Munnings enjoyed a banner day Wednesday, with a filly by the sire (Hip 558) bringing $1-million earlier in the afternoon.

And Woods has already enjoyed success from that source, having sold Munnings' Eda for $550,000 at this venue in 2021. She went on to win the GI Starlet S. later that year.

“He's a great stallion,” affirmed Woods. “He's just gotten better and better. He was at $30,000 early and now is up to $100,000 and you can't get to him. He's a pro. He got Jack Christopher, who is the best miler in the country.”

“He was a very blue collar stallion and now he's gone white collar.” @CBossTDN

Constitution Colt to Carlisle

Bloodstock agent Lauren Carlisle, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed partnership, purchased a colt by Constitution (hip 574) for $675,000 early in Wednesday's final session of the OBS March sale. The chestnut was consigned by Sequel Bloodstock and was purchased by Sequel's Becky Thomas for $200,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. He is out of graded-placed Jungle Tale (Lion Heart) and worked a furlong in :10 flat at last week's under-tack show.

“We loved him,” Carlisle said after signing the ticket. “He's a big, two-turn type colt. Obviously Constitution speaks for himself. He had a great breeze–one of the top breezes in my opinion, for the colts. We are very happy to get him.” @JessMartiniTDN

Constitution Colt Tops Boardshorts Activity on Day 3

Hunter Rankin | Photos by Z

Coffee mogul Travis Boersma made headlines last fall when paying a whopping $4.6 million for a share in subsequent Horse of the Year Flightline. Returning to the sales scene in the early part of 2023, Boersma's Boardshorts Racing extended to $625,000 for a son of Constitution at OBS Wednesday.

Hunter Rankin signed for Hip 612, who was consigned by Pike Racing after Al Pike purchased him for $165,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July sale. Out of Grade I placed Libby's Tail (Tiz Wonderful), the Jan. 14 foal breezed an eighth in :10 1/5 last week. A trainer for the colt has yet to be determined.

“We kind of whittled the sale down to 10 or 15 horses and just followed up and hope we get lucky,” Rankin explained. “And we got lucky a few of times.”

Later in Wednesday's session, Boardshorts landed Hip 678 for $450,000. The colt by Into Mischief is out of SW and GSP Miss Southern Miss (More Than Ready). Consigned by de Meric Sales, the Mar. 21 foal is from the family of Grade I winner Cotton Blossom.

“He was a very athletic type,” he said. “He worked great and was a really good mover. And if he is a good horse, he can be a stallion.”

Rankin also signed for a Maximus Mischief filly (Hip 456, $90,000) on Day 2 and Justify filly (Hip 732, $240,000) late in the session Wednesday.

According to Rankin, the operation is looking to expand its presence in Kentucky while maintaining a string in California.

Earlier this season, Boardshorts purchased Ancient Peace for $650,000 at Keeneland January. The daughter of War Front was sixth in her debut for trainer Graham Motion at Del Mar Dec. 3 before rebounding to score in her latest at Santa Anita Dec. 30. Since her purchase, she has been transferred to John Sadler. She posted her latest work at Santa Anita Mar. 20, going five panels in :59.60 (2/14).

“She is doing great,” he confirmed. “We're looking for an [entry level allowance] with her and she will probably run in the next couple of weeks.”

Boardshorts also purchased a Omaha Beach colt out of Daisy from the group of six horses that were re-offered for sale by Keeneland earlier this month.

“He is still in Florida at the moment but he will likely end up in Kentucky,” he said. “In the future we will try to spread horses around.”

In addition to Sadler, Boardshorts employs trainer Quin Howey, who is based at San Luis Rey and expects to add another Kentucky-based conditioner to the roster.

“We're looking to build a Kentucky presence,” he explained. “So we will have some horses in Kentucky and some in California. We're trying to build the stable with nice horses.”

Simultaneously building a broodmare band, Boardshorts secured Empire Hope for $450,000 at Keeneland in January in addition to Lake Garda (American Pharoah) for $600,000 in November. Both mares are in foal to Flightline. @CBossTDN

The post Strength at the Top as OBS March Concludes with a Million-Dollar Munnings Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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OCALA, FL-The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, which had four million-dollar juveniles a year ago, has matched that mark with another day to go as a colt by Good Magic topped Tuesday's trade with a sale co-record final price of $2 million. Bob Baffert, sitting in the press box alongside Donato Lanni while on the phone with Amr Zedan, made the winning bid, which matched the $2-million price tag of Chestertown (Tapit), who sold at the auction in 2019.

“It was a good day,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “We equaled a March sale record and there were two other million-dollar sales. It shows that consignors are not afraid to bring a nice horse to the March sale. They know they can get the money for them.”

OBS president Tom Ventura added, “And the horses' race records is what brings the buyers back, so it's a good combination.”

Through two sessions, OBS has sold 293 head for a gross of $46,044,500. The two-day average of $157,148 is up 17.8% from last year's two-day auction, while the median is up 13.3% to $85,000.

With 110 horses reported not sold during the two sessions, the buy-back rate of 27.3% continued to be well ahead of last year's figure of 13.7%.

“The good horses are selling well, and some of them may be even over-selling,” consignor Eddie Woods said. “There are a lot of very average horses here and they are bringing what they are supposed to bring. Just because they go really quick doesn't mean they are nice. So when the whole package shows up and it vets well and it looks and acts like a runner, the money shows up.”

The OBS March sale concludes with a final session beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

$2-Million Good Magic Colt Lights Up OBS

The topper's :9 3/5 work last week | Photos by Z

Bob Baffert sat in the press box on the phone with Saudi businessman Amr Zedan as Donato Lanni handled the bidding, ultimately securing a colt by Good Magic (hip 546) for $2 million late in Tuesday's second session of the OBS March sale. The bay colt, who turned heads with a :9 3/5 furlong work followed by a monster gallop-out during last week's under-tack preview, was consigned by Torie and Jimbo Gladwell's Top Line Sales.

“I kind of expected it because good horses command good prices and he was a standout,” Zedan said by phone Tuesday. “We were just waiting for this moment to come to get the opportunity to bid for him. He demonstrated an amazing breeze and he looked the part. And most importantly, Bob just fell in love with him. Donato flagged the horse. Bob–we call him the boss–arrived and he basically loved what he saw. We huddled up and the rest you know.”

Zedan was asked if either he or Baffert had hesitated at any point in the bidding as they saw off every volley of trainer Steve Asmussen, who sat in the pavilion on the phone.

“Not at all,” Zedan said. “It's very difficult to find this quality of horse. And if there is a horse that we like, our motto is we stop when we own him. I think we've demonstrated that in the past. I don't mean to come across as arrogant, but good horses command a premium and that's what it takes to get winners. Let's just hope he demonstrates that on the racetrack and he makes us all proud.”

The colt's attributes were in plain sight, according to Lanni.

“Everybody saw what he did,” Lanni said. “You come to the sales long enough, you see few horses do what he did. His breeze was extraordinary and how he came back from his breeze and how he handled himself. We are here to buy the top-end horses and he was one of the top-end horses, I believe. He did everything right.”

Zedan has made no secret that his goal in racing is to win the Kentucky Derby.

“Absolutely,” he confirmed. “That's the dream. That's our program. We start with the Derby in any given year, and we work backwards.” @JessMartiniTDN

More Magic for Gladwells

Jimbo Gladwell and Donato Lanni | Photos by Z

Torie and Jimbo Gladwell had already had success with a son of Good Magic at this OBS March sale–selling a colt by the champion for $725,000 during Monday's first day of the auction–but that result proved just a warm-up for the Top Line Sales team which watched as the colt the family's pinhooking partnership purchased for $190,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale sold for an eye-popping $2 million to Amr Zedan.

“I could cry, easy,” Jimbo Gladwell admitted after watching the colt sell. “We are just thrilled. It's just an unbelievable result.”

Zedan has made a habit of purchasing seven-figure juveniles out of the Top Line consignment. He gave the Gladwells their first million-dollar sale when buying future Grade I winner Princess Noor (Not This Time) for $1.35 million at the 2020 OBS April sale and he acquired this year's GIII Southwest S. winner Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) for $2.3 million at OBS last April.

“This game is not easy by any means,” Torie Gladwell said. “Every day you wake up knowing something is not going to go right. We just pray every day that we have good luck. And we have a very good team behind us. We are very blessed.”

The $2-million juvenile, bred by Don Alberto Corporation, is the first foal out of Hoppa (Uncle Mo), a 7-year-old mare who won once in just three starts for the Solari family's operation.

“We took a shot buying that horse at the Keeneland sale,” Torie Gladwell said. “He was a little light on page, but his physical is just an 11+–that horse is just amazing on the shank. Good Magic was kind of so-so at the time that we purchased the horse. So we took a little bit of a risk. Good Magic is hot right now and the horse just bloomed into an amazing athlete. He is an average-sized horse, but he has a huge stride. And he does it so effortlessly. He is just a machine on the track. It will be fun to watch him progress.”

Don Alberto purchased the mare Handoverthecat (Tale of the Cat), with Hoppa in utero, for $170,000 at the 2015 Keeneland November sale. The mare produced a filly by Violence last year and was bred back to Tacitus. @JessMartiniTDN

Arrogate Colt Heads to Japan

Shingo Hashimoto | Photos by Z

A colt by Arrogate (hip 489), who topped last year's Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearlings sale when selling for $700,000 just days after his full-brother Cave Rock debuted with a 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy victory, will be heading to Japan after selling for $1.05 million to the bid of Northern Farm's Shingo Hashimoto.

“Obviously, I thought he was the best horse in the sale,” Hashimoto said. “He's from the last crop of Arrogate. We are going to take him back to Japan.”

The dark bay colt is out of graded-stakes winner Georgie's Angel (Bellamy Road). Since the colt was purchased as a yearling last summer, Cave Rock has gone on to win the GI American Pharoah S. and GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity and was second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Hip 489, who was consigned by Tom McCrocklin on behalf of Michael Sucher's Champion Equine, worked a quarter-mile last week in :21 1/5.

“The time itself wasn't fast,” Hashimoto said. “But he was very well balanced and he looked very attractive. When we saw him at the sales barn, he walked very nicely, which I liked a lot.”

Asked if expected the seven-figure price tag, Hashimoto said, “Yes. We were trying hard to buy yesterday and we couldn't end up with some of the good ones, so we are happy to get this good colt.” @JessMartiniTDN

Arrogate Pays for McCrocklin

Tom McCrocklin | Photos by Z

After watching a colt by Arrogate he had purchased for $700,000 last August at the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearling Sale bring a final bid of $1.05 million Tuesday in Ocala, bloodstock agent Tom McCrocklin said, “This is a success story.”

The colt was one of several high-end yearlings McCrocklin purchased last year on behalf of Michael Sucher's Champion Equine.

“It was a game plan that may not work consistently over time, but it worked today,” McCrocklin said. “I think we sold a very classy, Classic-type horse to some really good people. My goal is that he's a very good racehorse for them. The money comes and goes and pinhooking is a high wire act to begin with, but it feels really good when you bring a good, sound, beautiful horse to the sale and he is well-received and somebody takes him home. My end-goal is to sell those people a really good racehorse. It's not about me, it's about the horse and it's about the horse going forward.”

McCrocklin had more success with Arrogate just a few hips later when selling a filly by the late stallion for $950,000 to Lee Searing's CRK Stables. The filly, who worked a quarter-mile in :20 4/5 last week, was acquired on behalf of Champion Equine for $250,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“Class and quality,” McCrocklin said when asked what he saw in Arrogate's offspring. “They are quality horses. And they show up when you need them to show up. And they sustain their weight and their mental toughness and they are extremely sound. They are very willing, genuine horses.” @JessMartiniTDN

Twirling Candy Colt Lights Up OBS

Hip 433 | Photos by Z

Solidly into Tuesday's session, the first juvenile of the day to realize seven figures lit up the board with a $1-million final bid for a son of Twirling Candy (Hip 433). Securing Hip 345–a filly by Bernardini–earlier in the day for $600,000, Sean Flanagan was back in action later to land the day's third-biggest prize. John Kimmel signed on the day's second-leading filly earlier in the session, while Jeff Mackor was on-hand to handle the signing duties on the son of the Lane's End stallion.

“I have always wanted a Twirling Candy–he's a fantastic sire,” said Flanagan, who was flanked by trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. and Mackor during the bidding. “I didn't think he would go that high..but we're here having fun. That's the main thing.”

The Feb. 11 foal is out of GSP Divine Dawn (Divine Park), a full-sister to GSW and GISP Divine Miss Grey.

“I have a great team,” added Flanagan. “John Kimmel is a dear friend of mine and he also signed on a couple of them today. And Saffie will train all of them.”

Consigned by Eddie Woods, the colt breezed an eighth in :9.4 last week. Bred by International Equities, the grey was a $200,000 purchase at Keeneland last September.

“This horse is a magnificent horse,” said Woods. “He's been a lovely horse from the first day we worked him. He showed up every day and worked fantastic and he galloped out really well. We had a lot of the top-end people on him.”

He continued, “I didn't think he'd bring seven figures. I thought maybe he'd bring $750,000, if everyone went in on him. Twirling Candy is a very good stallion. But to say you're going to get a million might be a stretch. When you're dealing with Uncle Mo, Arrogate, Curlin, Into Mischief and all those fancy stallions, you can expect to get a million for some of them because it happens. But for this horse, I was just delighted. He's been a smart horse all year, he's found a good spot and I hope he's good to them.”  @CBossTDN

Searing Gets His Arrogate Filly

Hip 526 | Photos by Z

Lee Searing of CRK Stables had his eye on a small group of horses, but he came away with his pick of the group when acquiring a filly by Arrogate (hip 526) for $950,000 Tuesday in Ocala. Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, the gray filly is out of graded-placed Heart of Paradise (More Than Ready). She worked a quarter-mile last week in :20 4/5.

“We came here to look at four or five horses,” Searing, who did his bidding while sitting alongside trainer John Shirreffs, said. “But we loved this horse from the minute she breezed to the time we bought her. She didn't turn a hair. And Arrogate is a top sire. It's such a shame he died.”

Searing was prepared for the filly's final price tag.

“I knew it,” he said with a rueful smile. “That was the horse. We bought one other one, but that was the horse [we wanted].”

CRK Stables has been represented over the years by Grade I winners Express Train, Switch, Beyond Brilliant and Honor A.P.

“It's always fun,” Searing said of Tuesday's bidding. “I've bought some expensive horses before, but when I can get John Shirreffs a really nice horse, it's really nice to be able to do it.” @JessMartiniTDN

Curlin Colt Brings $900K at OBS Tuesday

Hip 505 | Photos by Z

The fireworks continued late into the session with Hip 505, a colt by Curlin, realizing a $900,000 final bid. Terry Finley, situated out back, signed the ticket on behalf of a partnership between Talla Racing, Woodford Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds. Consigned by Al Davis's Old South Farm, the Florida-bred is out of GI Alcibiades S. winner Gomo (Uncle Mo). The colt will be trained by California-based John Sadler.

“He is a beautiful physical and is very well bred,” said Will Farish III, speaking on behalf of Ingordo Bloodstock. “We're really excited we had the chance to buy him.”

When asked about the price, he said, “We thought it would be somewhere in that range, and we were hoping it wasn't going to get out of control.”

He continued, “He was just an amazing mover. He looked great during the breeze and we went to see him a few times at the barn and we just loved the way he was walking.”

Bred by Bridlewood Farm, the bay was a $250,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Hoby Kight on behalf of Beryl 'Sonny' Stokes, who just passed away last week at age 89. According to Kight, Stoke's daughter Lauren is expected to take over her father's equine operation.

“I was expecting north of $500,000 by the amount of play at the barn and as well as he worked,” said Kight, who was visibly moved by the passing of his longtime friend. “He's such a beautiful horse with pedigree and everything went his way.”

He added, “I like to buy fast horses with pedigree. Every once in a while one falls in my lap. I try to scatter them out with good guys and I hope I come out with a runner.” @CbossTDN

Nyquist Colt to Ryan

Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, purchased a colt by Nyquist (hip 472) for $600,000 during Tuesday's second session of the OBS March sale.

“I am very partial to Nyquist–I pinhooked him as a yearling to 2-year-old a number of years ago,” Ryan said. “He's a sire that we feel has tremendous upside potential. He has a couple Grade I winners in his first crop. And this colt is out of a very good mare–she won $600,000 on the dirt and was Grade I placed and a stakes winner in New York. This is a horse who is going to go two turns. That's what we are looking for, 1 1/8 miles and 1 1/4 miles, we hope he has that potential.”

The colt, consigned by Wavertree Stables, is out of Flora Dora (First Dude), who was third in the 2016 GI Coaching Club American Oaks. He was bred by Coffee Pot Stables and RNA'd for $185,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale.

Asked if a trainer had been picked out for the juvenile, Ryan said, “We are not sure. I will let the owner decide that.” @JessMartiniTDN

Flanagan Stays Active Day 2 at OBS

Sean Flanagan | Photos by Z

In addition to Tuesday's third highest-priced colt, Sean Flanagan also secured the session's second-leading filly, a daughter of Bernardini out of SW Cartwheelin Lulu (Bustin Stones). Consigned by Gene Recio, Hip 345 brought $600,000. Flanagan also purchased a filly by Midnight Lute (Hip 223) for $370,000 on Day 1.

“Gene had said to me what a nice filly she is,” explained John Kimmel. “And from a physical standpoint, she really looks the part. In this marketplace, even though it's a big price, it's kind of what you need to spend to acquire these kind of horses. I can't say anything other than at least he got himself a horse that's physically beautiful and very appealing and has the ability to be a nice 2-year-old with enough substance that can race on as a 3-year-old.”

Kimmel, acting as an agent for Flanagan at OBS, signed for both the Bernardini filly in addition to a colt by Laoban (Hip 168, $425,000) during Monday's session.

“To me he was a smacking, good-looking colt,” said Kimmel of Monday's purchase. “He looked like a racehorse and he was super clean, passed the vet and looked great on the racetrack. I was done at $300,000 and Sean carried it the rest of the way.”

He added, “He was also the underbidder on the Uncle Mo of Hartley/DeRenzo and he was the underbidder on Jimmy Gladwell's Good Magic colt [Monday]. But he's got a filly who would be a nice horse to add to his collection as a broodmare.” @CBossTDN

Vino Rosso Colt Reels in $550K on Day 2

Hip 544 | ThoroStride

In the waning moments Tuesday, Hip 544, a colt by Champion older horse Vino Rosso, brought $550,000, leading the Spendthrift stallion's offerings through the second day of selling. Purchased by Alex and JoAnn Lieblong, the colt was consigned by Brandon and Ali Rice's RiceHorse Stable.

“He looked like a 3-year-old among 2-year-olds,” said Alex Lieblong. “I really think Vino Rosso has a good shot at being a really good stallion. I liked the pedigree, but to me, the consignors count even more than that.”

When asked who the colt would go to, he said, “I haven't made up my mind yet who he will go to yet. I have two or three trainers, Norm Casse and Riley Mott, a couple of guys starting out, so I have to figure that one out now.”

He added with tongue firmly planted in cheek, “They're both on the plane home so they'll be arguing all the way home!”

The colt is out of the Smoke Glacken mare Hookah Lady, who is already responsible for multiple graded stakes winner Get Smokin (Get Stormy). This is also the family of female grass champion Dayatthespa (City Zip) and GSW Clev Er Tell (Tell).

The sale also represented a coup for Dr. David Suarez Fuentes, who was represented by his first yearling-to-2-year-old in training pinhook.

Explaining how his relationship began with the Rice family and his foray into the pinhooking game, the veterinary surgeon said, “I started pinhooking two years ago with [Dr. William] 'Bo' Rainbow, who introduced me to Brandon. But I have been around horses my whole life. My dream was always to be able to buy and sell horses.”

A $32,000 RNA at Keeneland November, the bay was secured for $35,000 at Keeneland last September by Establo Rafanil, Suarez Fuentes's family operation in Puerto Rico.

“He had some little things, but nothing major,” he said when asked about the bargain yearling price. “But he was beautiful and sound. After I looked at the horse and pedigree myself, and I looked at the scope since I'm my own vet, I made the decision to buy him.”

He continued, “Last year was the first time I was free to [physically] go to the sale to buy horses myself. I had been doing my residency the past few years which was very intensive. We didn't get many breaks. So, I was finally able to go to the sale and buy horses, and I selected this Vino Rosso colt.”

The Mar. 8 foal worked :9.4–the co-second fastest time for an eighth–during last week's breeze session.

“From the beginning, he looked like he would be a star by the way he looked and trained,” he said. “And the Rices have done an amazing job with him.”

Of the colt's sire, he added, “He was an amazing horse. Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode for us in Puerto Rico, so I followed Vino Rosso [ridden by Ortiz] from the beginning. That's why he was always at the front of my mind when I looked at the sale catalogues. I always looked for something by him.” @CBossTDN

Going Rogue

Most of the stallions are already well established as either sires or on the racetrack (or both) by the time they make it onto the OBS catalogue page. Freshman sire Rogueish (Into Mischief), responsible for Hip 320, was clearly not among those. However, after the sole offering by the sire to sell drew a $220,000 final bid from Michael Sucher's Champion Equine LLC Tuesday, that may have all changed.

A $1,500 OBS Winter yearling purchase, the Apr. 3 foal returned to the ring to bring $50,000 from South Florida-based trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. at OBS later in October. According to Joseph, he subsequently sold the son of Born to Jazz (Student Council) to a few of his partners, and they decided to run him through the sale to see if they could get a fair price. And if not, they were happy to keep him and put him in training.

Consigned under the Golden Rock Thoroughbreds banner, the Florida-bred worked an eighth in :10 flat during last week's breeze show.

“He's a big colt but he's also very forward,” said Joseph. “He's a big, good-looking horse. You would never think he should be doing what he's doing.”

The 2-year-old's sire, Rogueish, was trained by Steve Asmussen and campaigned by Ed and Krista Seltzer and Beverly Anderson. The son of GSW Verdana (Rahy), he sparkled in what would be his sole career start, a 6 3/4-length victory going six furlongs at Fair Grounds in the fall of 2018.

Retired after that due to injury, the Kentucky-bred took up stud duties at the owner's Solera Farm in Williston, Florida. The 7-year-old stands the current season for $2,500.

“I was introduced to him by Ed Seltzer, who I train for. When I saw the stallion at the farm, I looked at his record and saw that he had been trained by Steve Asmussen and he won his first start impressively. He was also by into Mischief, so I was very impressed by him,” said Joseph of the juvenile. “So when I went to the sale, I thought I could buy value by the stallion. He was obviously talented and had his career cut short by injury. I was intrigued by the horse.”

With 32 foals to his credit and 14 of racing age, the stallion was represented by six yearlings to sell in 2022 at an average of $18,783, while a total of eight weanlings averaged $22,437. Hip 320 was the stallion's highest priced sale last season. @CBossTDN

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Young, who is based in Southern California, purchased the Florida-bred Protonico colt for a mere $35,000 as a 2-year-old at the 2020 OBS July Sale for Amr Zedan.

“Jockey Victory Espinoza actually helped bridge the relationship with Mr. Zedan,” Young said. “He's a lifelong horse lover and he felt like he wanted to get back in the game. He met (Bob) Baffert in Saudi Arabia a couple years ago and he decided to take another swing at the game. The first sale we went to (2020 OBS April) he gave me a budget of $1 million and I got there that day and sometimes you hear rumblings about potential top sales prices around the sale. I called him about the two horses we marked down and told him there was a chance we wouldn't get both for that price and one may go for more than the budget.”

Young was correct and their first purchase was future Grade 1-winning filly Princess Noor, who dropped the hammer at $1.35 million. Princess Noor subsequently retired at the end of 2020 due to an injury but was pronounced in foal Friday to top stallion Into Mischief.

Following Princess Noor's purchase, Young returned to the sales ring to the rescheduled OBS July Sale. Because the sale was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Young only had 12 horses marked down in his catalogue to look at following the breeze preview days.

“After the last day of the preview I walked out of the sale similar to Rocky Balboa walking back to the corner after Apollo beat him up,” Young said. “I called Mr.Zedan and he asked me if I remember seeing a horse by Protonico breeze. It was easy to remember because there was only one horse by Protonico in the sale and he was one of the 12 horses I wrote down to look at. He told me his friend stands the stallion and asked if I could go look at him.

“In his sales breeze he kept his rhythm very well to the wire and actually continued out well to the seven-eighths pole. I have the catalogue of that sale and on the page for (Medina Spirit) I wrote, 'natural router stride.'”

When Young arrived to look at Medina Spirit prior to the sale, he noted his dark color like his sire Protonico. On the day of the sale, Young purchased Medina Spirit and he was shipped to Southern California to Baffert.

“I'm glad Mr. Zedan chose me to work with but even more importantly he chose Bob,” Young quipped.

Young arrived to Louisville eight days prior to this year's Kentucky Derby – the same time his prized purchase walked off the van to begin his final preparation for the “Run for the Roses.”

“I kept coming home to the hotel room all week knowing this horse would run well,” Young said. “In the Derby, I knew there wasn't a lot of speed inside of us. We knew Mandaloun had some speed but we thought Brad (Cox) would instruct (Florent Geroux) get him to relax. Rock Your World, who I considered our main opposition, got left leaving the gate.

“Down the backside you start looking around who's traveling well behind you. I could see Mandaloun was a different horse than the Louisiana Derby. He was probably pulling more than you like but he was running. Then, I noticed Flavien (Prat) on Hot Rod Charlie was traveling beautifully. Essential Quality was a little further out than Medina Spirit, Mandaloun and Hot Rod Charlie.”

Young's mere $35,000 purchase gamely turned back his rivals down the stretch for a half-length victory in the Kentucky Derby.

“I remember seeing Mr. Zedan after the race just fall to his knees in pure jubilation,” Baffert said. “What a humble man. We couldn't be happier for him.”

Young was noticeably hoarse Sunday morning following the Derby celebration.

“You can't put into words what winning the Kentucky Derby means,” Young said. “Life has been so good to me. I've been around so many talented people and horses. In the past I've been fortunate enough to win many Grade 1 races but there's only one Kentucky Derby and I'll remember that moment for my entire life.”

Medina Spirit will face his next test in next Saturday's Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico. He returned to training Wednesday at Churchill Downs and will ship to Baltimore, Md., Monday afternoon.

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• Hip No. 461, a bay colt by American Freedom consigned by Pick View LLC, Agent, is out of Divine Happiness, by Divine Park, a half sister to stakes winner Spring Rush.
• Hip No. 547, a bay filly by American Pharoah consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc., (Ciaran Dunne), Agent, is out of graded stakes placed stakes winner Henny Jenney, by Henny Hughes, a half sister to grade one stakes placed stakes winner Zeewat.

Four horses worked quarters in :21 flat.

• Hip No. 436, consigned by Golden Rock Thoroughbreds, Agent, is a chestnut colt by Kantharos out of Crack Your Whip, by Stephen Got Even, a half sister to grade one stakes winner Marley's Freedom.
• Hip No. 447, a dark bay or brown colt by Violence consigned by Lucan Bloodstock, Agent, is out of Dazzletown, by Speightstown, a half sister to graded stakes placed stakes winner Yate's Black Cat.
• Hip No. 473, consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent, is a dark bay or brown colt by Flatter out of Echo Warrior, by Tiznow, a daughter of graded stakes winner War Echo.
• Hip No. 494, consigned by RiceHorse Stable (Brandon & Ali Rice), Agent, is a bay colt by Street Sense out of stakes placed Fenwick Hall, by Freud, a full sister to stakes winner Miss Narcissist.

Four youngsters shared honors for the session's fastest eighth, stopping the timer in :9 4/5

• Hip No. 344, consigned by Robert Brewer, is a dark bay or brown filly by Midnight Storm out of stakes placed All On The Table, by Holy Bull, a daughter of stakes winner Table the Motion.
• Hip No. 439, No Horn Unicorn, a bay filly by Blame consigned by Kings Equine, Agent, is out of Cry Value, by Street Cry (IRE), a daughter of stakes placed Value Stream.
• Hip No. 531, a bay colt by Gormley consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent, is a half brother to stakes winner Little Kansas out of Green Eyed Cat, by Tale of the Cat.
• Hip No. 539, consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, Agent for Chester & Mary Broman, is a bay filly by Carpe Diem out of stakes winner Hard to Stay Notgo, by More Than Ready, a half sister to stakes winner Mark My Way.

Under Tack results and videos are posted on the OBS website at obssales.com and can be viewed on kiosks in the breezeway and in the Video Room adjacent to the Horsemen's Lounge. In-room viewing is available at The Courtyard by Marriott, Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites, Residence Inn and the Ocala Hilton, plus lounge viewing is available at the Hilton.

The March Sale is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, March 16^th and 17^th, with both sessions beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Hips 1 – 282 will sell on Tuesday: Hips 283 – 563 on Wednesday.

Current information about OBS sales, consignors and graduates is now also available via social media sites Facebook and Twitter. A link on the homepage directs users to either site.

Sales results will be available on the OBS website, updated hourly during each session of the March Sale. In addition, the latest news regarding OBS graduates, sales schedules, nominations, credit requests, travel information and other news relevant to OBS consignors and customers is also available. E-mail should be addressed to obs@obssales.com.

The post OBS March Sale’s Third And Final Under Tack Show Conducted; Sale Starts Tuesday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Hip numbers 1-180 will breeze Monday. Hip numbers 181-360 go to the track Tuesday; hip numbers 361-540 breeze Wednesday; hip numbers 541-720 work Thursday; hip numbers 721-900 breeze Friday; and hip numbers 901- 1114 will go to the track Saturday.

The sale will be held next Tuesday through Thursday with bidding beginning daily at 10 a.m.

OBS will again offer online bidding during the July Sale. Buyers will be able to go to the OBS website and register to gain bidding approval, then access the OBS Bidding Screen with their credentials. For complete information on registration and online bidding, visit the OBS website at: (obs-online-bidding).

The post OBS July Breeze Show Starts Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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