The 2015 OBS Spring Sale of Two Year Olds in Training begins a four day run on Tuesday, April 21st. Hip No.’s 1-300 will sell on Tuesday, Hip No.’s 301-600 sell on Wednesday, Hip No.’s 601-900 sell Thursday and Hip No.’s 901-1203 on Friday. All four sessions begin at 10:30 a.m.
OBS Spring Sale graduates have long been a major force at North American racetracks. Eight have won Eclipse Awards and three are classic winners. Lil E Tee took the 1992 Kentucky Derby (G1) while Silver Charm and I’ll Have Another captured both the Derby and Preakness (G1) in 1997 and 2012, respectively. Parranda was recently honored as 2014’s champion Florida-bred older filly or mare. Since the beginning of 2014, Spring graduates have won or placed in 273 stakes including 79 graded races. Last year’s sale has already produced 59 stakes horses, including 25 stakes winners. That group includes graded stakes winners Calculator, Leave the Light On, No Problem, and Ocho Ocho Ocho, on his way to the Kentucky Derby (G1). Other notables from the 2014 sale include multiple stakes winners Catalina Red, Firespike, Lady Shipman, Mr. Jordan and The Lewis Dinner.
At the six-session Under Tack Show, three horses shared honors for the fastest eighths, each stopping the timer in :9 4/5. Last Thursday, it was Hip No. 692, a daughter of Lemon Drop Kid out of graded stakes placed stakes winning OBS graduate Yonagucci, by Yonaguska. The bay filly is consigned by Bobby Dodd, Agent. Two youngsters from the de Meric consignment breezed eighths in :9 4/5 on Saturday. Hip No. 1032, a bay filly by Harlan’s Holiday, is out of Favoritism, by Tiznow, a daughter of graded stakes placed Chaste. Hip No. 1073, consigned by de Meric Sales as Agent for Golden Legacy Stables, is a gray or roan colt by Street Cry (IRE) out of Gharbiah, by Bernardini, a half sister to graded one winner Honey Ryder.
Hip No. 608, a daughter of Big Drama consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent, worked the sale’s fastest quarter on Thursday, getting the distance in :20 3/5. The dark bay or brown filly is out of stakes placed Twilight Mirage, by Jeblar, and is a half sister to stakes winner Determinato.
Two horses worked three eighths in 33 2/5, the Under Tack Show’s fastest at the distance. On Monday it was Hip No. 11, a bay colt by Magna Graduate consigned by Blue River Bloodstock, Agent, out of Kimberlite, by Mineshaft. He’s a full brother to stakes placed Unbridled Graduate. On Tuesday it was Hip No. 257, a bay colt by Tale of Ekati consigned by All Dreams Equine, Agent, out of Poetic Champion, by Woodman, a full sister to stakes winner Mr. Woodman.
The Under Tack Show was recorded and is available on the OBS website, by entire session or by individual hip number. The works are also available for viewing in the video room adjacent to the Horsemen’s Lounge in the sales pavilion as well as several kiosks in the lobby and the covered walking ring. In-room viewing is available at The Courtyard by Marriott, Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites, Residence Inn and the Ocala Hilton, plus lounge viewing is available at the Hilton. Under Tack Show results are posted on the OBS website in .pdf and Excel format as well as via a sortable master index.
The sale will be streamed live via the OBS website at obssales.com and the Blood-Horse and DRF websites.