Florida, 18 June 2009

Gross down 39% and average down 24% as two-year-old sale closes

Hip No. 366, Holy Creator, a colt by Holy Bull consigned by SGV Thoroughbreds (Steven Venosa), Agent, went to Frank Fletcher Racing Operations for $150,000 in Wednesday’s second and final session to top the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2009 June Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age. The chestnut colt, who worked a quarter in :22 2/5 at Sunday’s Under Tack session, is out of stakes winner Creativity, by Notebook.

For the session, 140 2-year-olds grossed $2,609,200, compared with 160 selling for a total of $3,717,500 at the corresponding session last year. The average price was $18,637 compared with $23,234 in 2008, while the median price was $9,000 compared with $13,000 a year ago. The buyback percentage was 23.4%; it was 20.8% a year ago.

Fifteen older horses sold for total of $58,900, averaging $3,927, compared with 15 grossing $144,000, and averaging $9,600 last year.

Garland E. Rice III went to $140,000 for Hip No. 492, a colt by Yes It’s True consigned by Eisaman Equine, Agent. The gray or roan colt, who sped a quarter in :21 flat at the Under Tack Show, is out of stakes winner Impolite, by Two Punch.

Hip No. 347, a Closing Argument filly consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc., (Ciaran Dunne), Agent, was sold to Richard Ravin for $115,000. The bay filly, who worked the sale’s fastest quarter in :20 4/5, is out of Chelsea Rose, by West by West.

Hip No. 481, a colt by Chapel Royal consigned by Crupi’s New Castle Farm, Agent, was purchased by Frank Fletcher Racing Operations for $110,000. The dark bay or brown colt, who worked an eighth in :10 2/5, is out of Honour Marianne, by Honour and Glory, a half sister to graded stakes winner Kelly Kip.

Hip No. 397, We Will Rock, a colt by Rock Hard Ten also consigned by Wavertree, went to Dennis O’Neill for $95,000. The bay colt, who worked an eighth in :10 3/5, is out of stakes placed Di’s Delight, by French Deputy, and is a half brother to stakes winner Copper State.

For the entire June sale, 286 2-year-olds brought a total of $4,741,300, compared with 352 selling for a total of $7,720,700 at last year’s June Sale. The average price was $16,578, compared with $21,934 in 2008, while the median price was $9,000 compared with $13,000 a year ago. The buyback percentage was 26.8%; it was 18.1% last year.