The third session of the Spring Sales program for 2-year-olds in training, April 27 at Ocala Breeders’ Sales, took place in the style of a craftsman but was animated when a son of gunman pushed the bid up to $2.2 million to top the day. Agent Donato Lanni strikes again to win the pony for Zedan Racing Stables.
The Gun Runner champion’s de Meric consignment son became the highest-bid baby for the three-chimney farm on Thursday.
“We all in this business know that it’s not always going to be this successful, so every once in a while you need one of those,” consignor Nick de Meric commented after the sale of the Hip. 782. “That was brilliant. We couldn’t be happier.”
The foal will be traveling to California for other Zedan purchases under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
“The same goes for the top, top, and middle horses,” said Lanni. “It’s solid for the most senior horses; everyone’s here. It’s tough for both 1-year and 2-year-old sales.”
Donato Lanni at the sale
Lanni was the top purchaser on Day 3 with a $2.2 million single purchase and continued to hold her position as the top buyer during the sale, spending a total of $4,550,000 on three puppies, all for Zedan Racing Stables.
“It’s been an exciting day for the $2.2 million horse; it’s a beautiful horse,” Tod Wojciechowski, OBS’s sales manager, commented at the close of Thursday. “It’s exciting, and we’ll keep marching through Day 4.”
Another great looking pony has been added @ZedanRacing! hip 782 at @OBSSales. We picked up this Gun Runner’s son for $2.2 million. Looking forward to seeing him race! pic.twitter.com/gjYEm4vA4F
– Zedan Racing Stables, Inc (@ZedanRacing) April 27, 2023
Tuesday session on Thursday recorded 158 horses sold out of 214 through the ring with total sales of $21,001,000. The average price was $132,918 and an average of $66,000 was taken. The redemption rate is 26%, representing 56 horses that have not reached reserve level.
During last year’s third trading session, OBS reported 176 horses changed hands out of 206 offered for sale for $23,744,500, matching the median price of $134,912 and a median price of $134,912. 61,000 dollars. The RNA rate was 14.6% accounting for 30 unsold horses.
Session 3, top shipper de Meric Sales sold four horses for a total of $2,780,000. The Florida-based shipper was also the top shipper for the past three days, with total sales of $6,989,000, accounting for 26 heads sold.
Seven horses sold for over $500,000 and including stallions Omaha Beach (Hip 617—$550,000), Uncle Mo (Hip 682—$675,000), into naughty (Hip 777—$575,000 and Hip 793—$500,000), Gun Runner (Hip 782—$2,200,000) and Blame (Hip 786—$700,000 and Hip 883—$550,000).
During the past three days of sales, 520 horses were traded out of 647 offered for sale with a total turnover of $67,706,000, good for an average of $130,204 and a median of $65,000. has been set. The redemption rate of 19.6% represents the 127 individuals who failed to meet their reserves.
At this time last year, 551 horses were sold out of 637 horses to go through the sale, for a total of $73,294,000, resulting in an average price of $133,020 and an average price of 70,000 dollars. The buyback rate was 13.5% accounting for 86 unsold horses.
With Gulf Sales, Fasig-Tipton’s 2-year-old Selective Sales in Training, is canceled and leaves a gap on the minor’s annual sales calendar for a select sale , buyers are adjusting their quotas for each sale.
Jesse Hoppel of Coastal Equine commented: “I think buyers are confused; They don’t know where to go.” “The 2 year old market currently lacks a select sale and it doesn’t give you direction as to where these middle market horses will be, where the expensive horses will be; they differentiate. These horses give the public an idea of where to find the right horses.”
“We are very pleased that the March sale went well; it looks like that momentum has continued through April. “We set a record last year and here we are up against them; it feels great and is a testament to the strength in the current market.”
The last day of the sale, April 28, will have Hips 919-1222 on sale, starting at 10:30 a.m. As of Thursday afternoon, 73 horses have been withdrawn from the final session.
