Ciaran Dunne’s association with champion and sire Nyquist has been filled with one highlight after another, particularly when it comes to leading fillies by the Darley stallion into the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company pavilion.
During the second day of selling at the 2026 OBS March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, another daughter of the former Reddam Racing color bearer made a case to add herself to the list of standouts to come out of Dunne’s Wavertree consignment.
(OBS/VidHorse photo)
On a day that saw three more horses sell for seven-figures, bringing the total to six who have hit that threshold over the first two days, Hip 372, a bay filly by Nyquist consigned by Wavertree Stables, proved most in demand when she sold for $2 million to representatives of Boyd Racing.
If past history is any indication, the Nyquist filly could become the latest daughter by the 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner to highlight Dunne’s astute horsemanship. Among the OBS graduates Dunne has sold are Grade 1 winners Tenma and Cavalieri, both daughters of Nyquist whom he consigned during their respective outings at the OBS April auction.
“He’s put a lot of meals on the table,” Dunne said of Nyquist. “We were very lucky that we were associated with (owner Paul) Reddam and he raced him so obviously from the outset, we were exposed to a lot of them. From Day One, they were just good horses so we kind of got a little bit of leg up on everybody else. He’s the gift that keeps on giving.”
Out of the Lucky Pulpit mare Smooth and Savvy, the Nyquist filly is a half sister to Grade 1 winner Smooth Like Strait and showcased her ability when she breezed in : 9 3/5 during the under-tack show.
“She’s a beautiful physical, she put in an unbelievable work,” Dunne said. “She vetted clean and you know, if you can’t sell her, you just need to quit selling.”
After a protracted bidding battle, Hannah Jennings of Killora Stud signed the ticket on behalf of Boyd Racing and said plans on who the filly would go to are still to be determined.
“She was just an absolute queen. The whole week she was so professional,” Jennings said of the Nyquist filly. “Obviously her stride was fantastic on the track. And physically she’s everything we could ever want.
OBS March Sale. (OBS/VidHorse photo)
“Nyquist is one of our favorites. He’s an elite horse and Ciaran sold two Grade 1 winning Nyquist fillies out of OBS, so hopefully she can be the third.”
Where freshman sires reigned on the opening day of the OBS March Sale, highlighted by Hip 95, a son of OBS graduate and first-crop sire Corniche selling for $1.35 million, proven stallions commanded the stage during the March 11 session.
The appeal of OBS March graduate and seven-time leading sire Into Mischief showcased itself once more when Hip 416, a bay colt by the Spendthrift stallion, elicited a final bid of $1.85 million from agent Donato Lanni on behalf of owner Frank Fletcher.
Consigned by Susan Montanye’s S B M Training and Sales on behalf of Tami Bobo, the colt is out of the winning, graded stakes placed Will Take Charge mare Sweet Diane and is a half brother to stakes winner Miss Martini.
“He’s by one of the leading sires of our generation,” Lanni said after signing the ticket. “Bill Mott is going to get him, and Bill really liked him, so he got a pretty good endorsement. Frank (Fletcher) likes to run at Oaklawn and he looks like a dirt horse. I’m happy for Frank, he’s been in the business a long time and he’s very game.”
The colt made a strong impression when he breezed in :9 4/5 during the under-tack show, building on the high opinions Bobo and Montanye already held of him.
OBS March Sale. (OBS/VidHorse photo)
“I truly thought the horse would bring over $ 1 million. Not to sound boastful but this horse has trained like the big horse all year,” Bobo said. “Susan named the horse King Kong early on in the training season. Every week she was diligent in sending breeze videos and this horse continued to show up and continued to show up.
“For her to sell her first million-dollar horse and for us to do that together, it means the world to me.”
The OBS sales grounds have been meaningful to Jesse Hoppel throughout his career and Wednesday’s session produced a milestone moment for his consignment. Hoppel consigned Hip 299, a dark bay or brown colt by Mo Town, who would become the first seven-figure horse sold by him when he went to Lanni on behalf of Baoma Corporation for $1.05 million.
The colt is out of the Into Mischief mare Reckon, who is a half sister to Japanese stakes winner Hug (JPN), and posted the second fastest quarter during his under-tack session when he went in :20 2/5. In moments after the colt exited the ring, Hoppel found himself overcome by the emotions that settled in following his achievement.
“I grew up on these sales grounds…it’s unreal,” Hoppel said. “I’ve had a lot of horses I thought were really good but…me and my dad sat there yesterday and dad sat there and looked at that horse and said ‘I don’t think I’ve ever brought a horse to this sale that is this good before’, and I said, ‘I know I haven’t.’
“It would be easier if I told you what I didn’t like about (the colt), it wouldn’t be much conversation.”
Shortly after signing the ticket for the Mo Town colt, Lanni was joined by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert to discuss the newest addition to his barn.
“Beautiful horse who breezed exceptional,” Lanni said of the colt. “His breeze was beautiful and he came out of it really well. He’s going to Bob and…Baoma have been very lucky here over the years. We’re glad to get him.”
Market strength continued to show itself through the first two days of the OBS March Sale as the auction is tracking well ahead of its 2025 figures. Wednesday’s session saw 143 horses sell for $28,012,000, an increase over the $23,263,500 generated by 147 head sold during the second session one year ago. The average of $195,888 improved over last year’s session figure of $158,255 while the median increased from $70,000 last year to $95,000 this session.
A total of 42 horses failed to meet their reserve Wednesday, resulting in an RNA rate of 22.7% at the close of business compared to 15.52% in 2025.
The overall gross of $51,526,500 generated by 297 sold is up over the 280 sold for $40,499,000 during the first two sessions in 2025. Cumulative average is also on the rise, from $144,639 in 2025 to $173,490 this year while the median has improved to $90,000 compared to $70,000 at this point in 2025. A total of 92 horses have failed to meet their reserve.
Other top prices during Wednesday’s session included:
Hip 440, a bay colt by Tiz the Law consigned by Global Thoroughbreds LLC who sold for $850,000 to Zedan Racing. The colt, who breezed in :10 flat, is out of the winning Uncle Mo mare That’s Her M. O.
Hip 343, a bay filly by Upstart consigned by Tom McCrocklin who sold for $800,000 to Mo Speed Racing. The Upstart filly, who breezed in :20 4/5, is out of the stakes winning Eltish mare Shananies Song and is a three-quarter sibling to graded stakes winners Favorable Outcome, an OBS March graduate, and Mouheeb, also an OBS graduate.
Hip 379, a bay colt by Practical Joke consigned by Wavertree Stables (Ciaran Dunne) who sold for $775,000 to Spendthrift Farm LLC & Leland Ackerley Racing. The colt, who worked in :9 4/5, is out of the winning Unbridled’s Song mare Song Sung True who hails from the female family of Grade 1 winner I Want Revenge.
Hip 437, a dark bay or brown filly consigned by de Meric Sales who sold for $700,000 to MorPlay Racing LLC / Marquee Bloodstock. The filly, who worked in :9 4/5, is out of the Candy Ride (ARG) mare Tempered, a half sister to stakes winner and graded stakes placed Cowan, an OBS March graduate.
Hip 442, a chestnut colt by Drain the Clock consigned by Top Line Sales LLC who sold for $700,000 to Pedro Lanz, Agent for KAS Stables. The colt, who worked in :10 flat, is out of the Accelerate mare The Couples Girl, who is a half sister to stakes winner and multiple graded stakes placed Run Curtis Run.
The OBS March Sale concludes on March 12 with hips 545-816 slated to sell beginning at 11 a.m. ET. Full results can be found at obssales.com.