Francis Vanlangendonck of Summerfield Sales has been elected chairman of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company (OBS) board, succeeding Mike O'Farrell, who had been in the position since 2007. The fifth chairman in OBS history, Vanlangendonck has been on the board since 1990. He previously served as secretary/treasurer and was vice president under O'Farrell from 2007-2021.
“I am honored by the trust and confidence the board has shown by voting me OBS chairman,” said Vanlangendonck. “I certainly have a big pair of shoes to fill following Mike O'Farrell. His integrity and foresight has put OBS into an extremely solid position, both financially and within the Thoroughbred Industry.”
Vanlangendonck's Summerfield Sales, which he operates with his wife, Barbara, is annually among the leading consignors at OBS yearling and mixed sales. In 2021, Summerfield ranked 15th nationally with yearling sales of nearly $9 million. Their full-service farm includes a swimming pond for rehabilitation and facilities to prep yearlings.
O'Farrell spent nearly 40 years as an OBS board member. He tenure as chairman followed George Onett, Harry T. Mangurian, Jr., and Norman Casse. The O'Farrell family's Ocala Stud has been a leader in Ocala since 1956. O'Farrell's father, Joe, was one of the founding members of OBS in 1974 and served as the organization's first vice president.
In additional board changes, Dr. Barry Eisaman, whose Eisaman Equine is a leader at the OBS 2-year-old sales, was elected vice president. He had served as secretary/treasurer of OBS since 2010 and was first elected to the OBS board in 1996. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse was elected secretary/treasurer. Casse, whose operation is based in Ocala, has been on the OBS board since 2001. His father, Norman, was a founding member of OBS and chairman of the board for more than 20 years.
Joining the OBS board for the first time are David O'Farrell of Ocala Stud and Paul Sharp of Paul Sharp Stables. The rest of the board includes Tom Ventura, President; Carl Bowling; Nick de Meric, de Meric Sales; Jimbo Gladwell, Top Line Sales; Jesse Hoppel, Coastal Equine; John Penn, Pennston Farm; Bryan Rice, Woodside Ranch; and Eddie Woods.
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