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| Staff Writer |
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The opening session of the Ocala Breeders June 2YOs in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale proved highly successful, with a Yaupon colt emerging as the standout performer at US$300,000. Saffie Joseph Jr secured the impressive youngster, contributing to gross sales totalling US$9,758,500 from 222 horses changing hands.
The figures represent a significant improvement on the corresponding session twelve months ago, when 212 horses realised US$8,004,000. The average climbed to US$43,957 from US$37,755, whilst the median advanced to US$26,000 compared with US$20,000. The clearance rate was 74.5 per cent, with 76 horses failing to reach their reserves.
Tod Wojciechowski, director of sales for OBS, expressed satisfaction with proceedings, commenting: "Good solid day. It felt like horses were moving and changing hands and there was good depth of buyers. Given the strength of the market coming in, we were hopeful and we're looking forward to tomorrow."
The session topper, catalogued as Hip 104, demonstrated his credentials during the under tack show by breezing an eighth of a mile in 9.80 seconds. Consigned by Julie Davies, the colt represents the first foal of the Into Mischief mare After Party, whose pedigree includes stakes winner Green Destiny and stakes-placed Owen's Leap as half-siblings.
Joseph outlined his purchasing philosophy, stating: "If I like them, I buy them and then I worry about selling them after. I had seen this horse in March and obviously, he worked fast there. He came back and duplicated it, and for me, if he can duplicate that time, that means you're pretty good."
Davies reflected on the successful outcome, saying: "We came up here expecting him to sell well. How well, you don't know but he did have plenty of action. A lot of people liked his breeze and liked him on the shank. He's very classy so he came out like he owns the place. He's got a good mind to him, and he just presents himself well."
Hip 104 belongs to Yaupon's inaugural crop of 2YOs reaching the racecourse. The Group One-winning son of Uncle Mo recently celebrated his first stakes success when Sassy C W captured the Astoria Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Yaupon commanded a US$25,000 fee during the 2025 breeding season at Spendthrift Farm.
Male horses monopolised the leading prices, with a Constitution colt (Hip 35) achieving US$280,000 when purchased by Sleeper Thoroughbreds and Full of Fun Racing from Cortez Racing and Sales. The half-brother to graded stakes winner Allworthy and graded stakes-placed Miss Mattie B galloped during the under tack show.
Alex Cortez of Cortez Racing & Sales explained the colt's preparation, saying: "He's a super nice horse. We brought him here in April and he bruised his foot in a workout. But everyone was on him. I did the right thing for the horse, I gave him time off and he came over here and I told everyone about him. Thank God everyone listened. The price was not surprising, because I know how good he is."
The leading filly proved to be Hip 412, Elenique by Leinster, who impressed with a quarter-mile breeze in 20.60 seconds before realising US$140,000 to Leinster Partners from RiceHorse Stables.
Top Line Sales emerged as the most successful consignment operation, achieving sales totalling US$832,000, whilst C.H.P.R. led the purchasing activity by securing 32 head for US$422,500.
The sale continues with the second session featuring Hips 451-833 plus supplements 834-873.