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The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company today announced that Chad Johnson has been hired to fill the position of Field Representative.

Widely respected throughout the industry for his ability to evaluate young horses and their potential, Johnson has worked for several years on the inspection team for OBS Selected Sales.

In his capacity as Field Representative, Johnson will work with consignors and buyers alike, visiting farms to view prospective sale nominees, and reaching out to trainers and sales agents at racetracks and training centers.

“We’re delighted to have Chad Johnson as a full time member of the OBS team,” said OBS director of sales Tod Wojciechowski. “He’s widely known for having a keen eye for good horses, and his numerous contacts and extensive knowledge of the industry will be an asset to both consignors and buyers at OBS.  He has already hit the ground running, visiting with horsemen in Kentucky, California, Arkansas and Louisiana.”

For more information regarding OBS, visit the website at obssales.com or call (352) 237-2154.

The catalog for the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2014 March Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training is now available via the OBS website at obssales.com. The website features a sortable master index for the catalog and pedigree updates occurring since the catalog was printed.

The iPad version of the catalog  is now available via the equineline Sales Catalog App. The App allows users to download and view the catalog, receive updates and results, record notes and also provides innovative search, sort and rating capability. For more information and downloads go to: http://www.equineline.com/SalesCatalogApp/

A total of 411 juveniles have been cataloged for the two-day OBS sale, set for Monday and Tuesday, March 10^th and 11^th, with both sessions beginning at 11:00 a.m. The Under Tack Show is set for 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 6^th (Hips 1-206), and Friday, March 7^th (Hips 207 – 411).  The Under Tack Show and Sale will be streamed live via the OBS website as well as the DRF and Bloodhorse websites.

The March Sale has long been a source of top class racehorses, as OBS Selected Two-Year-Old Sales have produced the winners of 17 Eclipse Awards, 13 Breeders’ Cup races and 38 millionaire graduates.

Since the beginning 2013, OBS March graduates have won or placed  in 166 stakes races, winning 66 of them including 25 graded stakes wins. Six March graduates scored grade one wins, highlighted by a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) by Michael E. Pegram , Karl Watson, Paul Weitman’s Secret Circle. It was the third graded stakes win for the colt by Eddington, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint at two, and the Southwest (G3) and Rebel Stakes (G2) at three. Sold for $165,000 by Flying Fish, Agent, at the 2011 OBS March Sale, he’s now 10-7-3-0 and has earned $1,918,790 to date.

Gaining greater international importance, last year’s March Sale produced Yukio Baba’s unbeaten Asia Express, a near unanimous choice as Japan’s 2013 champion two-year-old colt. Winner of the $1.3-million Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse in December, He has earned 88,131,000 yen (est. $850,000 U.S.) to date. The Florida-bred colt by Henny Hughes was purchased by Narvick International for $230,000 from breeder Ocala Stud at the 2013 OBS March Sale.

Last year’s sale also produced three other grade one winners. Reddam Racing LLC’s Bond Holder won the $250,000 FrontRunner Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita, running past fellow OBS graduate Dance With Fate (April ’13) in deep stretch and scoring by 2-1/4 lengths. The colt by Mineshaft was sold by Crupi’s New Castle Farm, Agent, for $125,000. He’s earned $366,000. 

Westrock Stables LLC’s ill-fated Secret Compass came running late in the $250,000 Chandelier Stakes (G1) and was up late to win by a head. The daughter of Discreet Cat was sold for $425,000 by Eddie Woods, Agent.

Conquest Stables’ My Conquestadory started just three times, but won two graded stakes including Keeneland’s prestigious Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1). Breaking her maiden in Woodbine’s TVG Summer Stakes (G2) on the turf over males in her debut, the daughter of Artie Schiller, sold for $240,000 by Eisaman Equine, Agent, has earned $415,908.

Eclipse Thoroughbreds Partners’ 2012 March graduate Capo Bastone turned in one of the summer’s most exciting moments, coming from far off the pace to win Saratoga’s $500,000 King’s Bishop Stakes (G1) by two lengths. The son of Street Boss was sold for $175,000 by de Meric Sales, Agent. He has earned $662,608 to date.

The upper reaches of the General Sire list are well represented in the March Sale sire roster. Leading sire Malibu Moon has offspring in the sale, as do Tapit, Giant’s Causeway, Candy Ride (ARG), Unbridled’s Song, Distorted Humor, Tiznow, Macho Uno, Bernardini, Harlan’s Holiday and City Zip.

Other prominent sires represented include Awesome Again, Ghostzapper, Hard Spun, Henny Hughes, Indian Charlie, Kitten’s Joy, Majestic Warrior, Medaglia d’Oro, Midnight Lute, More Than Ready, Pioneerof the Nile, Smart Strike, Spieghtstown, Stormy Atlantic and War Front.

Exciting newcomers with first foals racing in 2014 include top class racehorses Blame, Eskendereya, Lookin at Lucky, Quality Road and Super Saver.

Current information about OBS sales, consignors and graduates is now also available via social media sites Facebook and Twitter. A link on the homepage directs users to either site.

Sales results will be available on the OBS website, updated hourly during each session of the March  Sale.  In addition, the latest news regarding OBS graduates, sales schedules, nominations, credit requests, travel information and other news relevant to OBS consignors and customers is also available. E-mail should be addressed to obs@obssales.com.

For more information regarding the March Sale or OBS website, please call (352) 237-2154.