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The Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2YOs in Training continues setting records as a colt by the late Uncle Mo paced the third session on Thursday, fetching US$1.3 million from Ramiro Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock.
Consigned as Hip 833 by the soon-to-retire Eddie Woods, the colt became the eighth horse to sell for seven figures during the 2025 OBS Spring sale, smashing the previous record of five established in 2022. The youngster breezed an eighth in :10 and is out of the 2018 Venezuelan champion 2YO filly Cacciatora.
"I was pretty confident he would sell really well," Woods said. "He had all the right people on him, his video was amazing, he's by a proper stallion. He's supposed to be a nice horse, and he sold accordingly.
"For once, he sold right around where I thought he was going to sell."
Restrepo, purchasing for a partnership group similar to those who campaigned multiple Grade One-placed Ferocious, indicated that Woods' endorsement carried significant weight in the decision.
"First and foremost, the colt's work was pretty spectacular," Restrepo said. "Going back there and watching the game tape several times, it was pretty evident he had arguably the best breeze in the sale. Physically, I love the medium-sized Uncle Mos. He's a very powerful colt and you also have the lean on the opinion of amazing horsemen like Eddie Woods."
The colt will be trained by Gustavo Delgado, who conditioned 2023 Gr.1 Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Ferocious.
For the second consecutive day, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen acquired offspring of horses he previously trained. Owner Kaleem Shah spent US$850,000 on Hip 727, a colt by Maclean's Music consigned by Caliente Thoroughbreds.
The juvenile, who breezed in :10, is out of the winning Lemon Drop Kid mare Apologize and is a half-brother to graded stakes-placed Blue Devil.
"I love the colt as an individual. Maclean's Music has been wonderful to me," Asmussen said. "I actually had Blue Devil as well, so it's an individual I absolutely love. I loved his breeze. Just very fortunate Kaleem was willing to buy him."
The sale gave consignor Saul Marquez his biggest financial success to date.
"He came in in such good form. He's always showed his class," said Marquez of Caliente Thoroughbreds, who sold subsequent multiple Grade One winner Chancer McPatrick at last year's April sale. "Very high hopes for him. He's on to his second career, and I don't think he's going to disappoint. He's the most expensive horse I've sold in three years of consigning. (The market's) been up and down. I've always said a good horse is going to sell. And just happy overall with all my results."
As the sale heads into its final day, consignor Jesse Hoppel is presenting two well-regarded prospects. Hip 994, a Florida-bred son of Gun Runner out of Drumette, is a half-brother to multiple champion and two-time Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Monomoy Girl and graded stakes winner Mr. Monomoy.
The colt, bred by Bridlewood Farm, breezed an eighth in :10 1/5 during the under-tack preview.
"He is a big, pretty horse," Hoppel said. "He has a lot of the Gun Runner attributes physically, the way he looks, and everything. I see a lot of Gun Runner in him. He has been popular at the barn, so we are expecting something good out of him."
Regarding the breeze, Hoppel added, "I was happy with it. He's a horse that wants to run on farther. He's never going to be entered to go one furlong."
Hoppel is also offering Hip 1017, a Maclean's Music colt who recorded a bullet work during the April 11 under tack preview, breezing a quarter mile in :20 2/5.
The colt is out of the winning City Zip mare Embur's Zip, a daughter of multiple graded stakes winner and 2011 Canadian champion older mare Embur's Song. This family also includes 2016 Gr.1 Preakness Stakes winner Exaggerator.
"I love the City Zip attitude I am seeing in him," Hoppel said. "We've dealt with a lot of City Zips in the past when he was still around. I love that mentality and drive that those City Zips express. He's a really pretty horse. I think he's a precocious horse who is really talented."
Earlier on Thursday, Hoppel consigned Hip 875, a son of Yaupon, which sold for US$625,000 to Spendthrift Farm. The colt had also impressed during the April 11 under tack show with a quarter mile in :20 2/5.
The session's figures demonstrate the robust market, with gross sales reaching US$21,806,500 from 144 sold, significantly higher than the US$15,692,000 from 157 sold in 2024. The average price jumped to US$151,434 from US$99,949 last year, while the median increased to US$80,000 from US$57,000.
Overall figures through three sessions total US$68,940,000, up from US$62,545,000 at the same stage last year, with the average rising from US$126,866 to US$143,029. The median of US$65,000 shows a slight decrease from US$72,000 in 2024.
De Meric Sales leads all consignors by gross through the first three days with 25 sold for US$5,842,000, while Mahmud Mouni tops buyers with six purchases totalling US$3,530,000.
The sale concludes today with hips 907-1207 going under the hammer from 10:30 a.m. ET.