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| Staff Writer |
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The first session of the Ocala Breeders' Spring Sale of 2YOs in Training wrapped up on 16th April with a notable sale. A filly (Hip 199) sired by Uncle Mo's offspring Caracaro fetched US$775,000, with Donato Lanni of Three Amigos securing the purchase, and Bob Baffert slated to train her in Southern California.
Offered by Global Thoroughbreds as agent, the bay filly is out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare Key D'Oro and boasts stakes-placed Twirled as a half-sibling. She hails from a prestigious female lineage, including Group One winner Key Phrase, graded stakes victor Half Ours, and stakes winner Yankee Gentleman.
Impressing during the under tack preview, the filly breezed an impressive eighth-mile in :20 2/5, showcasing the talent of her young sire Caracaro, standing at Crestwood Farm for US$6,500. Caracaro himself displayed prowess on the track, securing second place in the 2020 Gr.3 Peter Pan Stakes and finishing as runner-up to Tiz the Law in the Gr.1 Travers Stakes. Acquired for US$95,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale by Global Thoroughbreds from Buckland Sales, Caracaro notched first or second place in all four lifetime starts under the guidance of trainer Gustavo Delgado and ownership of SF Racing.
"We're happy to get her," said Lanni. "(Caracaro) is a son of Uncle Mo. I thought overall, (the Caracaros) look pretty good. He is throwing a beautiful, athletic horse. You see a lot of Uncle Mo influence.
"She did everything she was asked to do," Lanni added of the filly. "She went fast, galloped out fast, came back great. We're happy."
The highest-priced colt and second-highest overall of the session was Hip 291, sired by WinStar Farm's stallion Global Campaign, fetching US$650,000. The purchase was made by Pedro Lanz, representing Saudi Arabia-based KAS Stable. Presented by Eddie Woods as agent, this bay colt is out of the mare Maid in Heaven, a winner by Yes It's True. Maid in Heaven is a full sister to graded stakes winner Yesbyjimminy and multiple stakes-placed Qureall, as well as a half sister to multiple stakes winner Magic Mecke and stakes winner A.J. Melini.
Bred in Florida by Katherine Nielsen and Gem Racing, the colt originally sold for US$150,000 at last year's OBS October Yearling Sale as a pinhook by Quarter Pole Enterprises from the Kaizen Sales consignment. He impressed during the under tack preview with a quick furlong breeze of :10 flat.
"I know this horse. I saw this horse in the yearling sale at OBS October and even tried to buy this horse," said Lanz. "(But) he was purchased by Eddie Woods. I saw the breeze. Spectacular action, very fluid, smooth stride. Ten flat, nice gallop-out. Beautiful horse, the same horse I saw in October but more powerful. And I got the horse.
"I think he is going to race in Saudi Arabia," Lanz continued, "but I have to ask them because they are starting some operations here. I will try to keep the horse here because I love the horse. I was expecting (to pay) $400,000, maybe $500,000. Everyone is on the same horses, so I told them to be prepared for a fight because the horse breezed good and vetted clean. This sale is tough."
Global Campaign, a millionaire and Group One winner sired by the two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, achieved significant victories throughout his career. Notably, he clinched the 2020 Gr.1 Woodward Handicap and Gr.3 Monmouth Cup Stakes as a 4YO, in addition to the Gr.3 Peter Pan Stakes the previous year at age 3. Under the guidance of trainer Stanley Hough, Global Campaign amassed six victories out of 10 starts for WinStar Farm and Sagamore Farm, accumulating earnings totaling US$1,321,080.
In the recent session, Pedro Lanz, acting on behalf of KAS Stable, secured Hip 195, a colt by Nyquist consigned by Woods, for US$250,000. Lanz emerged as the top buyer on Tuesday, spending a total of US$900,000 on the two juveniles.
The session, marked by a delayed start time of noon ET to accommodate thorough inspections following changes to the under tack schedule, witnessed 145 horses being sold, generating gross sales of US$19,725,000. The average price for Tuesday's sales stood at US$136,034, with a median of US$87,000. Sixty horses failed to meet their reserve, resulting in a buy-back rate of 29.3%. In comparison, last year's opening session saw 175 horses sold, generating gross sales of US$22,746,000. The average and median prices for that session were US$129,977 and US$70,000, respectively.
"I thought it was good," said Todd Wojciechowski, OBS director of sales, commenting on the sale's first day. "A lot of the things hold true. A good horse sells well, and I thought we had a lot of nice horses today. Holding true to last year is a great start to the week. Obviously, a lot of good horses left to come, and I look forward to the next three days."
The initial session started off a bit sluggish, but trading gained momentum as the afternoon advanced.
Wojciechowski suggested that the slower pace at the beginning of the sale might be attributed to it just kicking off. He speculated that several of those unsold horses might find buyers in the post-sale period. He also noted that buyers may need some time to adjust and explore their options. Over the years, the April Spring Sale has evolved from a middle-market event to encompass both top-end and middle-market offerings. He emphasized that March sales have effectively integrated middle-market horses into the mix, enhancing the overall quality of the event.
"It's still the first sale of the year, and it's easier for a buyer to say, 'I'm going to wait and see what comes up over the next couple of months.' Again, this is the go-to sale of 2YOs, a little bit of everything for everyone."
The Spring Sale will resume on 17th April, featuring hips 303-604, scheduled to be auctioned starting at 10:30 a.m. ET. As of Monday evening, a total of 73 horses had been withdrawn from the second session scheduled for Wednesday.