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| Staff Writer |
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The Ocala Breeders June 2YOs in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale is attracting significant attention following a spectacular performance during the under tack show, with consignor Omar Ramirez presenting what he describes as his strongest consignment in years.
Leading the charge is Hip 829, a colt by Beau Liam who has created considerable excitement after breezing a quarter-mile in 20 1/5 seconds, equalling the track record established last year by recent Gr.3 Summertime Oaks winner Cash Call.
Ramirez expressed his surprise at the remarkable performance, stating: "I was expecting 20 3/5, 20 4/5, if we were lucky, maybe 20 2/5. We didn't know how the track was going to be going 20 1/5. We were blessed."
The consignor was quick to praise the quality of his star performer, adding: "He's a good, sound colt; he's a really, really classy colt. He's beautiful."
Hip 829 represents a remarkable transformation from his humble beginnings, having been purchased by Ramirez for just US$3,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton December Digital Sale. The colt is the second foal from Lemon Drop Kid mare Sweetnsour Kitty and was bred in Kentucky by La Ciega.
This success continues Ramirez's profitable association with Beau Liam progeny, having previously sold a colt by the Airdrie Stud stallion for US$200,000 to Carriganog Racing at the March 2YOs in Training Sale after the youngster breezed a quarter in 20 3/5.
The consignor's 27-strong draft includes several other promising prospects, with Hip 512, a colt by Modernist, recording the fastest eighth-mile time during the under tack show at 9 4/5 seconds. Ramirez purchased this colt for US$11,000 as a weanling at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale before buying him back for US$35,000 at the 2024 October Yearling Sale.
"He breezed really well for me," Ramirez said about Hip 512. "This colt is gorgeous, beautiful walker, smart colt too. He's a big two-turn colt. He's got a lot of talent."
Another notable entry is Hip 229, a filly by Gr.1 Preakness Stakes winner Cloud Computing, who impressed with a quarter-mile breeze in 20 4/5. This daughter of stakes-winning mare Clever Beauty represents another shrewd purchase, having failed to meet her reserve with a final bid of US$18,000 at last summer's Fasig-Tipton July Sale.
Clever Beauty has proven herself as a successful broodmare, producing six foals of racing age with five having raced and four achieving winner status, adding further appeal to her daughter's credentials.
Ramirez reflected on his overall consignment quality: "This is probably my best consignment I've had in a long time. All my horses performed good, came back good, and are showing really well."
The June sale follows exceptional results during the March and April sales, with the March Sale achieving a record-topping price of US$3.2 million for a Gun Runner colt consigned by Eddie Woods. The April Sale witnessed nine horses selling for US$1 million or more, demonstrating the current strength of the juvenile market.
Tod Wojciechowski, director of sales at OBS, expressed cautious optimism ahead of the sale: "There are lots of good horses on the grounds. Consignors have done a really good job preparing these horses and getting them here. We're cautiously optimistic."
He attributed the recent success to the quality of horsemanship in the region: "Success stems from the quality of horses that the consignors are bringing to the market. We've been very fortunate that some of the best horsemen in the world live here in Marion County."
Ciaran Dunne of Wavertree Stables shared his market assessment: "I don't think we'll see much change. I think the appetite for a nice horse is always there and I think the good ones will sell really well. I don't think you can hide a good one. I think the middle and lower end of the market is going to be tough, but it's always tough. So, I don't expect to see any great changes."
The June sale has established itself as a source of top-class performers, with graduates including Group One winner and stallion Yaupon, along with Adare Manor, War Like Goddess, Bella Sofia, and Zenden.
Wojciechowski highlighted the sale's evolution: "I think our consignors have also realised if they have a horse that is a little immature for, say the March Sale, they can take the time and give the horses the time to mature and grow, and be rewarded for that in June."
Last year's three-day sale resulted in 606 horses changing hands from 740 offered, generating gross receipts of US$22,045,800 with an average of US$36,379 and median of US$20,000. The reserve not attained rate stood at 18.1 percent, representing 134 horses failing to meet their reserves. Tom McCrocklin achieved the joint sale-topping prices of US$400,000 with fillies by Tiz the Law and Twirling Candy.
The restructured two-day sale will offer 852 catalogued horses, including 83 supplemental entries, with sessions beginning at 10am each day featuring comprehensive offerings across both sessions.