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For Immediate Release

A dark bay or brown filly by Golden Pal sold to owner/breeder Ken Ramsey for $50,000 to top the 2026 OBSOnline April Second Chance sale, a digital auction held April 24-28 featuring horses who breezed during the Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale and either scratched or failed to meet their reserve.

Consigned as Hip 777 by Top Line Sales, the filly is out of the Point of Entry mare Expect an Entry, a half sister to stakes winner Becky’s Exchange. The filly breezed in :10 flat during the under-tack show.

Expect an Entry is out of the Valid Expectations mare Expect Becky, a half sister to multiple stakes winner and OBS graduate Thatsusintheolbean and stakes winner Valid Belfast.

The second highest priced horse to sell was Hip 1088, a bay colt by Roadster who brought $46,000 from H Jack Hendricks. Consigned by Ocala Stud, the colt is out of the Montbrook mare Marion Theatre and is a half brother to both multiple stakes winner and graded stakes placed R Adios Jersey, an OBS graduate, and the dam of graded stakes winner R Disaster.

The colt, who is eligible for the Florida Sire Racing Incentive program, breezed in :21 1/5 during the under-tack show.

At the close of business April 28, 11 horses were sold for gross receipts of $316,500 with an average of $28,773 and median of $27,000.

OBSOnline will also hold a “Second Chance” auction following the upcoming June Two-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale taking place June 16-18.

Rousseau Racing’s Grade 3 winner Nic’s Style (Uncaptured – Sense When, by Street Sense) outclassed her three rivals to score a dominant 5 ½-length triumph over fellow OBS grad Just a Philly in the $100,000 FHBPA Filly & Mare Sprint at Gulfstream Park April 25, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Nic’s Style notched her eighth victory from 14 starts and first win since the Hurricane Bertie (G3) in March 2025 at Gulfstream. She was purchased by Stephen Rousseau for $25,000 out of the Summerfield consignment at the 2021 October Yearling Sale.

At Woodbine on April 25, Mony Mony (Munnings-Super Sharp, by Super Saver) came through for jockey Sofia Vives’ third consecutive $125,000 Star Shoot Stakes victory.

Trainer Joe Sharp shipped in Mony Mony for Woodbine’s first stakes event of the new season. Mony Mony is owned by Scott Dilworth, Evan Dilworth and Randy Andrews and was purchased by Scott and Evan Dilworth for $110,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the JVC Training and Sales consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

Sunday’s Woodbine card saw Arbiter (Charlatan – Bicolour, by Tiznow) deliver a commanding performance, drawing off to a six-length victory in the $125,000 Woodstock Stakes.

Trained by Wesley Ward for Resolution Road Stables, Arbiter improved his record to three wins from four starts. He was purchased by Louis Dubois and Gary Young, agent for Wesley Ward for $375,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Britton Peak consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

At Oaklawn Park April 24, favored Have Faith (Vekoma-She’ll Heir, by Wildcat Heir) captured the $135,000 Southern Hospitality Overnight Stakes by three-quarters of a length. Trained by Dallas Stewart for Holy Cow Stable LLC, she was purchased by her owners for $35,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Top Line Sales consignment after breezing in :10 2/5.

The April 26 Oaklawn Park card saw Spring Dancer (The Big Beast – Spring Included, by Include) take the $135,000 Majestic Overnight Stakes.  Trained and co-owned by Randy Morse with Randy Patterson, Joe Morgan and Sam M. Vogel, she was purchased at the 2023 OBS October Yearling Sale by Champion Equine for $35,000 from the Abbie Road Farm consignment

A total of nine horses who are graduates of Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company auctions have been entered in the 152^nd Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) to be held at Churchill Downs.

The $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks takes place May 1 with an approximate post time of 8:40 p.m. ET. The $5 million Kentucky Derby takes place May 2 with an approximate post time of 6:57 p.m.

Five OBS graduates are entered in the main body of the 20-horse field for the first leg of the Triple Crown with one also eligible. They are:

• PP 3 (50-1) –  Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC’s Intrepido (Maximus Mischief-Overly Indulgent, by Pleasantly Perfect), winner of the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita Park last Fall. Trained by Jeff Mullins, Intrepido was purchased by his owners for $385,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Cardozo’s Brothers consignment after breezing in :9 4/5.
• PP 8 (15-1) – Norman Stables and Saints or Sinners’ So Happy (Runhappy-So Cunning, by Blame), winner of the  Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park. Trained by Mark Glatt and bred by Leverett Miller, So Happy was purchased by Glatt, agent for $150,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale out of the First Call consignment after breezing in :10 flat.
• PP 9 (10-1) – OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, High Step Racing, LLC, Michael and Jules Iavarone and TCC Stables’ The Puma (Essential Quality- Eve of War, by Declaration of War), who bested Further Ado to capture the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs. Trained by Gustavo Delgado Sr., The Puma was purchased by Marquee Bloodstock for $150,000 out of the Hidden Brook consignment at the 2025 OBS April Sale after breezing in :10 flat.
• PP 13 (20-1) – John Oxley’s Silent Tactic (Tacitus-Magical Sign, by Gun Runner), who annexed the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park. Trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, Silent Tactic was purchased by Justin Casse for $500,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Thorostock consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.
• PP 18 (6-1) – Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado (Gun Runner- Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa), winner of the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. Trained by Brad Cox, Further Ado was purchased by Spendthrift at the 2025 OBS April Sale for $550,000 from the Six K’s Training & Sales consignment after breezing in :21 1/5. 
• AE 24 Corona de Oro (Bolt d’Oro – Lemon de Oro, by Lemon Drop Kid), third in the Lexington Stakes (G3). Trained by Dallas Stewart for On Our Own Stable, Commonwealth Stable, et al, Corona de Oro was purchased by Champions Equine for $100,000 from the consignment of Beth Bayer at the 2024 OBS October Yearling Sale.

Three OBS graduates are among entries for the 1 1/8-miles Kentucky Oaks, which will feature a maximum of 14 starters:

• PP 4 (8-1) – West Point Thoroughbreds’ Counting Stars (Honor A.P.- Paynterbynumbers, by Paynter), winner of the  Fantasy Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park. Trained by Mark Casse, Counting Stars was purchased by her owners at the 2025 OBS April Sale for $150,000 from the Wildheart Thoroughbreds consignment after breezing in :10 flat.
• PP 6 (20-1) – Averill Racing, LLC, Mathis Stable, LLC and, Tristan de Meric’s My Miss Mo (Uncle Mo – In a Dream, by Quality Road), second in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., My Miss Mo was purchased by Averill Racing and Mathis Stable for $320,000 from the de Meric Sales consignment at the 2025 OBS March Sale after breezing in :10 1/5.
• PP 7 (30-1) – Respect the Valleys’ Dazzling Dame (Girvin – Awesome Dama, by Corinthian), winner of the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack. Trained by Brittany Russell, the daughter of Girvin was purchased by her owners for $45,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale from the Richardson Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :21 flat. She was previously sold to Tahoe Bloodstock from the Hare Hill Farm consignment for $65,000 at the 2024 OBS Winter Mixed Sale.

OBS has produced three Kentucky Derby winners in its history beginning with OBS April graduate Lil E Tee in 1992, future Hall of Famer and fellow OBS April graduate Silver Charm in 1997 and dual classic winner I’ll Have Another in 2012, also an OBS April graduate. Two OBS graduates have prevailed in the Kentucky Oaks: OBS April graduate Blind Luck in 2010 and OBS March graduate Plum Pretty in 2011.

For Immediate Release:

Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company has catalogued 28 horses for its OBSOnline April “Second Chance” digital auction taking place April 24-28. The OBSOnline April sale features horses that were either unsold or breezed and scratched from the record-setting OBS Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale held April 14-17.

The catalogue will be available for viewing on the OBSOnline website (www.obsonline.com). Bidding will begin April 24 at noon ET and close at noon April 28.

Sires featured in the “Second Chance” sale include such first-crop stallions as OBS graduate and champion Corniche, Cyberknife, Drain the Clock, Golden Pal, Idol, Jack Christopher, Mind Control, Mystic Guide, Pinehurst, and Roadster as well as offspring by Army Mule, Essential Quality, Girvin, Maclean’s Music, McKinzie, Munnings, No Nay Never, Tacitus, Twirling Candy, Uncle Chuck, Uncle Mo, and Vekoma.

Each horse will have pedigree, video, and racing details available for viewing. Medical information will be available to veterinarians in the OBS repository.

To create an account or register to bid for the OBSOnline April Sale, visit obsonline.com.

Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company will host a “Second Chance” digital auction on its OBSOnline platform featuring horses that were either unsold or breezed and scratched from the record-setting OBS Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale held April 14-17. The April online sale will be held from April 24-28.

Bidding will begin at noon ET April 24 and conclude at noon April 28.

Horses offered will feature the same hip numbers they were initially assigned for the OBS April Sale. They will be available for inspection at the location noted on their page.

Entries for the online sale close April 21.

Medical information, including radiographs and video scopes, is available in the repository and can be accessed by buyers’ veterinarians. Each horse will also have a walking video.

OBSOnline previously held a similar Second Chance auction following its March sale.

To create an account or register to bid for the OBSOnline April Sale, visit obsonline.com.

Everything in the lead up to the final day of trade at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training indicated the benchmarks for determining all-time levels of achievement at the bellwether auction would need to be adjusted to a higher setting.

The level of commerce over the first three days inside the OBS pavilion was such that, heading into the final April session, it was all but certain multiple key indicators were going to conclude at a record level – besting last year’s exercise that ranked as one of the best of its kind. Accompanying the buzz generated by the results themselves was an extraordinary level of anticipation for a certain colt set to sell on the final day, a youngster that had many participants convinced that Hip 1056, as he is currently known, would make the best kind of spectacle of himself in the ring.

Expectations are one thing. Reality can be something different. But when the final gavel fell on the 2026 edition of the OBS April Sale, even the loftiest of predictions had been dwarfed, overtaken and obliterated by a level of excellence rarely seen inside any public auction arena.

The weeks leading up to the signature sale on the OBS calendar featured a hype track for the ages, inspired by a bay son of unbeaten champion Flightline set to be the glittering jewel of the boutique Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds consignment. With one record already in their pockets after selling a record-priced filly earlier in the week, Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo helped orchestrate the biggest moment in the sales company’s history when Hip 1056 justified his paparazzi like following by selling for an all-time OBS record of $10.5 million to agent Donato Lanni on behalf of Zedan Racing on the final day of a Spring Sale that set new highwater achievements across-the-board.

Before a capacity crowd that overfilled the pavilion and erupted in cheers when the final bid was cemented, the Flightline colt shattered the previous record OBS price of $3 million established when Zedan Racing purchased future Grade 1 winner Brant at the 2025 March Sale. He also ranks as the second-highest priced horse to sell at any 2-year-old sale, a fitting milestone for a horse that had every major buyer in the marketplace clamoring to claim him, especially in the wake of his effortless :9 3/5 breeze during the under-tack show.

“There was a lot of hype on this horse. He followed through with the hype,” Lanni said after signing the biggest ticket in the annals of OBS. “When he worked, everyone got on that rail and watched and he delivered. He did everything that was asked of him. (Hall of Fame trainer) Bob (Baffert) loved him, the first time he saw him he loved him and Amr (Zedan) is tough, he’s tough to outbid. He’s an emotional guy and he’s great for the sport. His enthusiasm is unbelievable.”

Even before Friday’s session got underway, the April auction had already seen its share of highlights including Hip 570, a dark bay or brown filly by Jackie’s Warrior consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo that became the highest priced filly to sell at OBS when she elicited a final bid of $2.3 million from Dermot Farrington on behalf of Mrs. Fitriani Hay during the sale’s second session.

As the Flightline colt left his stall in Barn 5 and headed toward the back walking ring to ready for his star turn, however, flickers of the biggest fireworks show in Marion County this year began popping off throughout the Ocala pavilion.

The crowds that gathered 4-5 deep in the back ring trying to get a glimpse of the would-be record setter soon made their way into the pavilion, creating a palpable buzz as the colt out of the multiple stakes winning and graded stakes placed mare Lucrezia, a daughter of leading sire and OBS graduate Into Mischief, began his historic time in the ring. The opening $1 million bid was a salvo of what was to come as the board climbed in $200,000 and $300,000 increments, soaring past the previous record OBS mark in moments and drawing gasps as the eight-figure stratosphere was breached.

“I had no idea it was going to hit that,” Lanni said. “I talked to everybody and everyone had different numbers, could bring $6 million, could bring $7 million. I never thought that. But that’s why there is a horse auction. You never know what they’re going to bring.”

Added OBS President Tom Ventura, “The best description of this horse is LeBron James coming out of high school. He was just that much heads above the class. Let’s hope he keeps that and it translates on the racetrack. His imposing physical is one thing. The way he did it on the track was effortless. But the class was in the ring. It was hectic, they followed him. But when he came in the ring and there was a lot of chatter going on, he was just all class.”

Twenty-five years ago, Hartley/DeRenzo sold the first seven-figure horse at an OBS juvenile auction when they consigned Warners for $1.05 million to Eugene Melnyk at the 2001 March Sale. A quarter of a century after that hallmark moment, the two stalwarts of the juvenile marketplace reflected on the fact they continue to raise the bar on their own lofty standards.

“You always want to be the best, that’s what you strive for,” Hartley said. “When you bring these kinds of horses to the sale and the horses we’ve sold in the past, people have high expectations and sometimes things don’t work out, and people get so disappointed. It’s hard to stay at that level because there are so many good people doing it now. They’re all trying to buy the same horses.

“This was just an amazing horse,” Hartley continued. “We very rarely see these kinds of horses come through the 2-year-old sales. But he never missed a beat with nothing. From the breeze to showing, when you’re around him for five seconds, you can see that he breathes different air than other horses.”

The 2026 OBS April Sale also put itself into rarified air as a record gross, average, and median were all established at the close of business Friday. The overall gross receipts of $113,823,000 from 637 head sold soared past the previous record mark of $92,129,000 established in 2022 and well surpassed the $88,496,500 generated by 638 head sold in 2025.

The cumulative average of $178,686 bested last year’s record mark of $138,709 with the median of $80,000 finishing ahead of last year’s number of $65,000 and toppling the prior record figure of $70,000 set in 2024.

“I do think you saw some depth here. The top typically takes care of itself but there was plenty of money in that second and third tier for horses all through the week,” said Tod Wojciechowski, Director of Sales for OBS. “That was the impressive thing all week was not just the domestic buyers but the increased amount of interest we saw from all regions of the world. A deeper bench of buyers from Japan, more and more of the Middle East buyers coming in, European buyers. It just continues to grow.

“We are the largest 2-year-old sale in the world. No one sells more 2-year-olds over more days than OBS. And I think it just continues to prove itself as the 2-year-old source to the world.”

The total RNA rate came in at 17.8% compared to 16.6% in 2025.

A total of seven horses sold for seven figures at the April Sale, including Hip 1136, a dark bay or brown filly by Not This Time that went to Asagi Stables for $1 million during Friday’s session. Consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), the filly is out of the winning and graded stakes placed Uncle Mo mare Moana, an OBS April graduate who is a half sister to the dam of Grade 1 winner Ceiling Crusher. She worked in :9 4/5 during the under-tack show.

Proving the money will wait for the right horse, Hip 1221, a bay filly by Girvin from the female family of OBS April graduate Cy Fair, made sure the record auction ended with an exclamation point when she sold to Robert and Lawana Low for $1.6 million as one of the final offerings in the ring.

Consigned by Top Line Sales, the Girvin filly is out of the Curlin mare Soma, who is a half sister to graded stakes winner Celestial City. The filly, who posted the co-fastest time of the sale when she breezed in :9 3/5, has a page overflowing with Grade 1 talent with champion Calendonia Road and top-level winners Hymn Book and Data Link all in her female family.

“For the quality the money is always there,” said Jimbo Gladwell of Top Line Sales. “She’s just gotten better every day we’ve had her. She showed up here in a big way and she brought down the house here at the end.”

Not surprisingly, Hartley/DeRenzo led all consignors by gross with three head sold for $13,550,000 with Zedan’s historic purchase making him the leading buyer.

“Honestly, Dean and Randy were the first true believers of the April Sale,” Ventura said. “They were totally committed to the select sale. (Hall of Famer and Hartley/DeRenzo OBS April graduate) Silver Charm put us the map. And they also sold Warners. They’ve done it for a long time and they’re not doing it with 50 horses a year, they’re doing it with a relatively small group of horses. Kudos to them.”

Other top prices on the day included:

• Hip 1037, a dark bay or brown filly by Early Voting purchased by Three Amigos for $850,000. Consigned by Hoppel LLC, the filly is out of the American Pharoah mare Lipstikliesnlovers, a daughter of graded stakes winner Cherokee Queen from the female family of Grade 1 winner Domestic Product. She breezed in :20 2/5, the co-fastest time at the distance during the under-tack show.
• Hip 1027, a gray or roan colt by Essential Quality that sold for $775,000 to MorPlay Racing / Marquee Bloodstock / MyRacehorse. Consigned by Hoppel LLC, the colt is out of the winning Pomeroy mare Let’s Parlay, a half sister to the dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Mind Control. The colt breezed in :20 4/5 during the under-tack show.
• Hip 1102, a bay filly by Life Is Good purchased for $750,000 by Donato Lanni, Agent for Glassman Racing LLC. Consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo, the filly is out of the Bodemeister mare Mezinka, a half sister to Grade 1 winner and sire Pioneerof the Nile. The filly breezed in :10 flat during the under-tack show.

OBSOnline will be hosting a “Second Chance” auction for horses who breezed during the April Sale and either scratched or failed to meet their reserve. The April digital auction will begin at noon ET April 24 and conclude at noon April 28. Entries for the online sale close April 21.

For all the subjectivity involved with purchases made inside the Thoroughbred auction arena, there are certain intangibles each juvenile must possess if they are to stand out at the top end of a discerning marketplace.

From her breeze to her page to her physical presence, there wasn’t a single must-have on the check list held by owner Bill Childs and his team that a certain daughter of Bolt d’Oro being offered at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training didn’t fulfill.  

In the same pavilion where her dam’s sire first made his mark on the industry, Hip 840, a bay filly out of graded stakes winner Gas Station Sushi took her turn in the spotlight when she commanded a final bid of $1.3 million from Childs on April 16 to top the third day of action at the OBS April Sale.

Consigned by Kings Equine, the Bolt d’Oro filly became the fourth horse to hit the seven-figure threshold during the first three sessions of the four-day sale and, in the process, added to her own family history of success inside the OBS pavilion.

Her dam Gas Station Sushi is a daughter of seven-time leading sire and OBS graduate Into Mischief, the flagship sire of Spendthrift Farm. Spendthrift bred the filly that will now be headed to the barn of trainer Danny Gargan, and farm general manager Ned Toffey confirmed that expectations have justifiably been high in the wake of the filly’s exceptional :9 4/5 breeze during the under-tack show.

“She’s obviously a lovely filly. I think Into Mischief mares are really popular right now,” Toffey said. “But most of all, it was how she breezed. She breezed so well, she was so efficient. It looked effortless but very fast. She did everything the right way.

“We thought she was a nice filly, but I think over the last month and then out here, she’s done nothing but get better and better. She very much came into it the right way.”

Gargan, who won the 2025 Frizette Stakes (G1) with Iron Orchard, another OBS April graduate purchased by Childs in partnership, is hoping history repeats itself with his future trainee.

“We thought she was the best filly in this sale, and we just had to wait,” Gargan said. “I thought her breeze was tremendous and she’s a very, very good looking individual. We were lucky enough we were able to buy her. I’m excited she’ll be coming to me in Saratoga. Maybe I can win the Frizette again with her.”

Robust trade was once again the name of the game during Thursday’s session as nine horses sold for $700,000 or more on the day. The session gross of $26,036,000 from 143 head sold was up compared to the $21,505,000 generated by 148 head sold a year ago. The average of $182,070  was up over the $145,304 posted during this session in 2025 with the median improving from $76,000 in 2025 to $80,000 this year.

The RNA rate for the session came in at 21.4% compared to 20% in 2025.

The overall figures through the first three days also continue to tell the story of ongoing market strength. The cumulative gross of $77,945,000 from 479 sold is up over the $69,423,500 generated by 496 sold at this point in 2025. The average of $162,724 is well ahead of the $139,967 at this stage a year ago while the median has also risen from $65,000 in 2025 to $75,000 this year.

The second highest price of the session when Hip 915, a gray or roan filly by Liam’s Map, ended the day on a high note when she brought $925,000 from St. Elias Stable as the penultimate horse in the ring. Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, the filly is out of the Honor Code mare Honor Hop, a half sister to stakes winner Ex Pirate, and posted the co-fastest time for the distance when she breezed a quarter in :20 2/5 during the under-tack show.

“We’re big fans of Liam’s Map. We always look at the babies and want to support the sire,” said Monique Delk of St. Elias. “This filly was big, beautiful body. She looks more like a colt to me because she has a lot of substance to her. When she breezed like that, there wasn’t much not to like.”

The day’s third highest price was registered when  Hip 754, a bay filly by McKinzie consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), sold to Donato Lanni, agent for Baoma Corp for $900,000.

The filly posted the co-fastest time at the distance on the day when she breezed in :9 3/5 during the under-tack show. Success on the OBS grounds also runs in the family for the McKinzie filly as she is out of the winning mare E Built This City, who is by OBS graduate City Zip, and is a half sister to stakes placed winner and OBS graduate Fulminate.

“This is the filly we wanted,” Lanni said. “She breezed really, really well. She came back excellent, she vetted, physically she looked good, mentally she was good. She jumped through every hoop, and they’re big hoops. It’s a premium when they do what they do and that’s what you pay for. I’m happy we got her, I love her.”

Thursday’s session was a milestone one for consignor Omar Ramirez as he celebrated the highest priced horse of his burgeoning career when he sent out Hip 704, a bay colt by Speaker’s Corner, to sell for $875,000 to Lauren Carlisle, agent. The colt, who breezed in :9 4/5, is out of the winning, graded stakes-placed Summer Bird mare Danessa Deluxe, a half sister to multiple stakes winner Belleofthebeach.

“He’s a beautiful horse. He’s a man, he’s like a grown man,” said Carlisle, who purchased the colt for an undisclosed client but added he would be trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse. “He’s a big robust horse. We’re thinking big, hopefully dirt, two-turns.”

Bred by Tommy Wente Jr. and Scott Stephens, the Speaker’s Corner colt was part a windfall day for Wente and Ramirez as the two also partnered on Hip 679, a dark bay or brown colt by Not This Time, that brought $450,000 from D. J. Stable earlier in the session.

“I bought him (the Not This Time) and went in with Omar and he kept getting better and better,” Wente said. “The Speaker’s Corner I raised with my partner on the farm Scott Stephens … and he was another horse that just got better and better. He worked lights out.”

Added Ramirez, “I want to thank the owners for giving me the chance to sell this horse. They are great, great people. We had high expectations and we had a lot of good people on him. We’ve had a great, great day.”

Other top prices included

• Hip 623, a dark bay or brown filly by Omaha Beach that sold for $825,000 to Sabby Racing LLC. Consigned by Hoppel LLC, the filly is out of the Candy Ride (ARG) mare Charmeer, a half sister to stakes-placed winner and graded stakes producer Been Here Before. She tied for the fastest quarter on the day when she breezed in :20 3/5 during the under-tack show.
• Hip 714, a bay colt by Tiz the Law purchased for $800,000 by MyRacehorse.com & Saffie Joseph, Jr. Consigned by S G V Thoroughbreds LLC (Steven Venosa), the colt is out of the mare Deep Trouble, by leading sire and OBS graduate Into Mischief, and is a full brother to Grade 1 placed winner Curtain Call, an OBS graduate. He worked in :9 4/5 during the under-tack show.
• Hip 694, a chestnut filly by Ghostzapper that brought $750,000 from Fergus Galvin. Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, the filly is out of the winning Curlin mare Curvette, a daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Fiftyshadesofhay.
• Hip 822, a dark bay or brown colt by Jack Christopher that brought $725,000 from Flanagan Racing, LLC. Consigned by Britton Peak. The colt is out of the Uncle Mo mare Forced Family Fun, a half sister to stakes winner and multiple graded stakes placed Cat Burglar, and is a half brother to stakes placed winner Walley World. He worked an eighth in :9 4/5 to tie for the fastest time at the distance.
•  Hip 805, a dark bay or brown colt by Mind Control, who sold to Justin Casse for $700,000. Consigned by Grassroots Training & Sales, the colt is out of the Flatter mare First Valentine, a daughter of stakes winner First Ascent, and is from the female family of multiple Grade 1 winner Mor Spirit. He worked in :9 3/5, the co-fastest time for the distance on the day.

The OBS Spring Sale concludes April 17 beginning at 10:30 a.m. with Hips 917-1224 set to sell.

Full results can be found at obssales.com.

For Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo, the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. grounds are where they are most in their element, the venue where they have made their name and plied their trade to exceptional professional heights.

With so much OBS history already part of their foundation, the noted consignors came to the 2026 edition of the OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training quietly confident that some of their biggest career highlights would be on tap.

The first round of fireworks expected from the Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds offerings this week went off during the second day of selling of the OBS April Sale. Hip 570, a dark bay or brown filly by Jackie’s Warrior that is part of the boutique Hartley/DeRenzo consignment, became the highest priced filly to sell at an OBS juvenile auction when she elicited a final bid of $2.3 million from Dermot Farrington on behalf of Mrs. Fitriani Hay.

The price is the second highest ever for the OBS Spring auction, behind only the $2.45 million generated when Conquistador was purchased during the 2017 sale.

“It means a lot, this is home,” DeRenzo said. “We sold the first million-dollar horse (at a 2-year-old auction) here at OBS and she is the highest priced filly. We are part of OBS. It feels good to do it at home.”

The Hartley/DeRenzo shedrow has been a popular spot this week as they also consign Hip 1056, a well-regarded son of Flightline set to sell during Friday’s session. Like her barnmate, the Jackie’s Warrior filly generated her fair share of looks after she breezed in :9 3/5 during the under-tack show, tying for the fastest time at the distance.

Out of the graded stakes winning Indian Charlie mare Brazen Persuasion, an OBS graduate, the filly is one of four horses offered by Hartley/DeRenzo this week. She is a half sister to stakes placed winner and OBS graduate Ruggs and is from the female family of graded stakes winner Godmother.

“We thought she was the best filly in the sale, and we thought we had the best colt in the sale,” DeRenzo said. “We were pretty confident about it because those kind of horses don’t come around very often. They stand out like a sore thumb. We were confident she would do really well.”

Alex Cole, racing manager for Hay, said the filly was headed to the barn of trainer Wesley Ward.

“We wouldn’t spend that sort of money if there was any flaw,” Cole said.

Moments after the Jackie’s Warrior filly earned her spot in OBS history, Hip 576, a chestnut colt by Cyberknife consigned by de Meric Sales, became the second horse to hit the seven-figure threshold during the session when he sold for $1.2 million to the partnership of
West Point Thoroughbreds, Mike Talla, LEB, and John Sadler, agent.

The colt is out of the winning Unbridled’s Song mare Broadway Show, a daughter of graded stakes winner and dual OBS graduate Richiegirlgonewild.

“He was so stretchy. We’re looking for two-turn colts and we just liked him a lot,” Sadler said. “We thought his video was excellent. You would always like to buy everything for a little less, but he was a nice prospect.”

The colt, who was bred by Machmer Hall, breezed in :9 4/5 during the under-tack show.

“Beyond expectations. I am blown away, thrilled,” said Carrie Brogden of Machmer Hall. “This is a dream come true and it’s a long-time partnership. Not only are the de Merics our friend, but every time I come here and consign, I feel like I know exactly what I have with them.”

Following on the heels of a strong opening session that featured a son of Epicenter selling for $1.95 million, the second day of action for the OBS Spring Sale generated its own stellar returns. The gross for the session came in at $25,522,000 from 148 head sold, down from the $27,462,500 generated from 183 head sold during the corresponding session one year ago. Last year’s second session was bolstered by the sale of six seven-figure horses that day alone.

The session average of $172,446 was up compared to $150,068 posted in 2025 while the median improved to $77,500 over $60,000 during the session a year ago.

The cumulative gross through the first two days is $50,805,000 from 317 head sold, up from the $47,918,500 generated by 348 sold through this point last year. The overall average is up to $160,268 from $137,697 in 2025 while the median has improved to $75,000 compared to $60,000 a year ago.

The RNA rate came in at 27.8%  compared to 11.6% a year ago.

Wednesday’s session wasted no time getting off on the right foot when Hip 312, a bay colt by Life Is Good consigned by Britton Peak, sold to KP for $725,000. The colt, who breezed in :9 4/5, is out of the graded stakes winning Tiznow mare Tiz Breathtaking.

“Tell you the truth, he was the whole package. He had all the right angles, the right size, the right mind,” said Nelson Arroyo of Arroyo Bloodstock, who consigned the Life Is Good colt through Britton Peak. “I loved him from the first second I saw him. He was a big horse but he is real light on his feet. He has all the right angles and he has that presence.”

Other top prices on the day included:

• Hip 437, a chestnut filly by Omaha Beach that sold to Alex & JoAnn Lieblong for $650,000. Consigned by Harris Training Center LLC, the filly breezed in :10 during the under-tack show. She is out of the Distorted Humor mare Alma Llanera and is from the female family of champion Singspiel (IRE).
• Hip 375, a chestnut filly by Jackie’s Warrior that sold for $625,000 to Flanagan Racing, LLC. Consigned by Six K’s Training & Sales, the filly is out of the Nyquist mare Well Remembered, a half sister to stakes winner and graded stakes placed Audrey’s Time. She worked in :10 flat during the under-tack show.
• Hip 596, a gray or roan colt by Roadster consigned by Ocala Stud that sold for $625,000 to Shunsuke Kubota. The colt is out of the Group 3 winning Lope de Vega mare Candy Store (IRE) and is a half brother to stakes winner and graded stakes placed Vive Veuve. He worked in :20 3/5 during the under-tack show, co-fastest time at the distance on the day.
• Hip 499, a gray or roan colt by Essential Quality consigned by Five Point Thoroughbreds that sold for $550,000 to Breeze Easy LLC / Jethorse LLC. The colt is out of the Tiznow mare Back Up the Brinks and is from the female family of champions Forte and Folklore. He worked in :9 4/5 during the under-tack show.
• Hip 517, a bay colt by Tapit consigned by Paul Sharp that sold for $550,000 to KSI. The colt is out of graded stakes winner and Grade 1 placed Be Fair, an OBS April graduate who is by Exchange Rate, and is a half brother to Grade 1 winner and OBS April graduate And Tell Me Nolies.

The sale continues April 16 at 10:30 a.m. with Hips 611-916 set to sell. Full results can be found at obssales.com.

On time alone, the bay colt known as Hip 289 in Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables consignment for the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training signaled during his under-tack breeze he had the kind of ability that is most desirable amongst those seeking on-track success.

Impressive as the final clocking was, it was how the son of Epicenter completed his solo showcase that made him the most sought-after offering during the first day of the bellwether auction.

An already solid day of results for the OBS Spring Sale ended with a loud and proud exclamation point April 14 as a bay son of Epicenter elicited a final bid of $1.95 million from agent Justin Casse and Ben McElroy of Amo Racing, topping an opening session of the four-day sale that featured across-the-board gains.

Out of the winning Animal Kingdom mare Spanx Legacy, who is a full sister to graded stakes placed winner Delta’s Kingdom, the Epicenter colt breezed in :9 4/5 during the under-tack show, a benchmark time that was made all the more impressive by the easy way in which the youngster handled the task. The impression was such that Casse, who said the colt was purchased on behalf of Amo Racing and partners, repeatedly stretched during a protracted bidding war to secure the colt by the first-crop Ashford Stud stallion.

“His performance was exceptional. I would say that we’ll look back through the years of being here and you’d say ‘Remember that Epicenter when he breezed?’. It was that kind of a move,” Casse said.  “I have great respect for Ciaran Dunne and he has been very fond of this horse since January when he was first on his farm. He’s just beautiful.”

The price for the Epicenter colt ranks as the fourth highest in the history of the OBS April Sale and the most since Collmus went for $2.2 million during the 2023 edition of the auction.

“I didn’t know what to expect for ones like that,” Casse said. “I’m happy for OBS. It’s a family connection. My dad (Norman Casse) started the place. All that we’ve been able to accomplish here, it’s really exciting. I’m very proud for the sales company to get a horse of that caliber and fetch a price like that.”

The Epicenter colt was the lone seven-figure horse on Tuesday, backstopping the sale to gains in gross, average, and median compared to 2025. The overall gross of $24,578,000 from 159 head sold is up over the $20,456,000 generated by 165 head sold a year ago. The average jumped from $123,976 in 2025 to $154,579 this year with the median increasing from $60,000 to $80,000 this year.

A total of 47 horses failed to meet their reserve. The RNA rate before post-sales on Tuesday was 22.8% compared to 17.1% after post sales in 2025.

Prior to the Epicenter colt stealing the show, the Spendthrift Farm team made their own presence felt in an attempt to add to the operation’s run of success inside the Ocala pavilion.

Having purchased Grade 1 winner and leading Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Further Ado at last year’s edition of the OBS Spring Sale, Spendthrift owner Eric Gustavson and general manager Ned Toffey were back shopping the scene that has been ground zero for a plethora of Spendthrift highlights as they signed the ticket for Hip 74, a dark bay or brown filly by the farm’s young sire Omaha Beach that brought the day’s second highest price at $900,000.

Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, the Omaha Beach filly turned heads when she worked a quarter mile in :20 4/5 during the under-tack show April 6, the fastest time at the distance on the day. She is out of the More Than Ready mare Ready for Charm, who is a half sister to stakes winners Praetereo and OBS April graduate Simply Spiteful. The filly’s granddam Deb’s Charm was also a graded stakes placed winner and is a daughter of Hall of Famer and OBS April graduate Silver Charm.

“She’s just a really nice filly. We’ve had a lot of luck with Tom and she did things the right way,” Toffey said after signing the ticket. “Really nothing not to like about her.

“I can’t say she looks like (Spendthrift’s Grade 1 winner) Kopion but I did keep thinking about Kopion when we were looking at her. I think she has more of that More Than Ready hind leg on her but she’s a big, impressive filly. The way she breezed, she did it pretty effortlessly. She’s got a good mind on her and just a big, strong classy filly.”

The filly’s already impressive page was further bolstered in recent weeks as Ready for Charm is also a half sister to the mare Honestly Deb, the dam of Ashland Stakes (G1) winner and leading Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender Percy’s Bar.

“We’ve had our run ins with Percy’s Bar,” Toffey laughed. “But that is a wonderful pedigree. She’ll be a nice addition to the broodmare band no matter what she does.”

Spendthrift also helped get the sale off to a fast start when they partnered with Josh Isner’s Delta Squad Racing to land Hip 11, a bay colt by Curlin, for $850,000. Consigned by Top Line Sales, the colt breezed in :10 1/5 during the under-tack show and is out of the Violence mare Peace Corps, a half sister to Grade 1 winner and graded producer Her Smile.

“Spendthrift liked him individually and then we liked him, so we decided to partner up,” said Liz Crow of BSW/Crow Bloodstock, who signed the ticket on behalf of the pairing. “(Isner) is kind of a newer owner but he’s excited about the game.

“He wants two-turn dirt colts, and this horse obviously had that profile and pedigree. Spendthrift has the (colt’s) half brother, Tapit’s Legacy, and they like him quite a bit. I thought his breeze was very good, he moved well and galloped out well. We just thought he had the profile of that two-turn dirt colt that everyone is looking for.”

The day’s fourth highest price was generated by Hip 133, a dark bay or brown colt by Honor A. P. who went to Three Amigos for $725,000. Consigned by Bryan Ford Training Stable, the colt breezed in :9 4/5 and is out of the Nyquist mare Seeking Mo Jewel, a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Deterministic.

Other top prices during the session include:

• Hip 261, a gray or roan colt by Uncle Mo who sold for $650,000 to Deuce Greathouse, Agent for 30 A Thoroughbreds. Consigned by Randy Miles, the colt  – who hails from the female family of champion Rags to Riches –  breezed in :9 4/5 and is out of winning, stakes placed Tapit mare Sweet as Pie.
• Hip 75, a dark bay or brown filly by OBS graduate Yaupon who sold for $625,000 to White House Stables. Consigned by Julie Davies, the filly worked in :9 4/5 during the under-tack show. She is out of the winning More Than Ready mare Ready to Unleash and is a half sister to multiple stakes winner and graded stakes placed Joe Shiesty.
• Hip 202, a bay ridgling by Maxfield that sold to Pedro Lanz, Agt for FMQ Stables for $600,000. Consigned by Kinsman Farm, the ridgling worked in :10 1/5 and is out of the Broken Vow mare Spoken Not Broken, a half sister to stakes winners Stormy Novel and Bridgehampton.

The OBS April Sale continues April 15 at 10:30 a.m. with Hips 307-610 slated to sell. Full results can be found at obssales.com.

For Immediate Release

A year after producing one of the best editions of its signature auction, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company will aim to extend its string of robust results when the 2026 Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training begins its four-day run April 14. A total of 1,224 horses including supplements are catalogued for the 2026 edition of the sale, which runs through April 17.

Sessions will begin each day at 10:30 a.m. ET with Hips 1 – 306 selling April 14 followed by Hips 307 – 610 April 15, Hips 611 – 916 April 16, and Hips 917 – 1220 plus supplements 1221 – 1224 April 17.

The full catalogue can be viewed on the OBS website. 

The 2025 edition of the OBS April Sale earned a place of distinction in the company annals. A total of nine horses sold for seven-figures, including six that sold during the second session alone, as the auction produced a record average of $138,709 and year-over-year gains in gross receipts.

The fruits of that 2025 exercise – and past Spring Sales – have borne out on racing’s biggest stages over the last 12 months. A total of 11 OBS April graduates have won Grade 1 races thus far in 2025-26 including Blue Grass Stakes victor and leading Kentucky Derby contender Further Ado, two-time Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Dark Saffron, and 2026 Pegasus World Cup winner Skippylongstocking.

Graduates of the OBS April Sale also accounted for three Breeders’ Cup victories when the World Championships were held at Del Mar last fall. Cy Fair, who was purchased at the 2025 edition of the auction, became just the second filly to take the Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), while eventual female sprint champion Shisospicy prevailed in the Turf Sprint (G1) and Nysos captured the Dirt Mile (G1).

“The 2-year-old market is getting stronger in that aspect of bringing better horses to the sales and it’s showing up on the racetrack,” said Torie Gladwell of Top Line Sales. “We’re getting a lot of graded stakes winners, and we have like four (contenders) for the Kentucky Derby this year.

“I would say supply and demand (is a big part of it). The foal crop is getting smaller, and I feel like people are bringing better horses. We do a better job buying horses than we did probably 10 years ago. We’ve learned from our mistakes, and I think a lot of other pinhookers have too. The agents all say there are some really nice horses here.”

Top Line Sales consigns Hip 1221, a bay filly by Girvin who was one of six horses to work an eighth in :9 3/5 during the under-tack show. The Girvin filly is one of four supplemental entries in the April sale. All of the supplemental entries can be viewed online.

 In addition to the appeal of proven sires, demand is expected to be high for offerings by such well-regarded first-crop sires as OBS April graduate and champion Corniche, Life Is Good, and champion Flightline, the latter of whom produced another impressive :9 3/5 worker in Hip 1056.

“This year is just a really special year because there are so many good freshman sires and they’re all throwing nice looking horses,” said Nelson Arroyo of Arroyo Bloodstock, which is pinhooking seven horses for the April Sale including two by Life Is Good. “We’re going to have some really good sires come out of this year. I think it’s a really strong market. Purses keep on going up and I think that we’re going to keep getting stronger. There are a lot of good horses in this sale.”

Success at the highest level has been a trend for those who stand out at the April sale. For three straight seasons from 2020-2022, the sale toppers at the Spring auction went on to become Grade 1 winners: Princess Noor (2020), Corniche (2021), and Arabian Knight (2022).

Notable OBS April graduates also include Hall of Famer Silver Charm, champions Mitole, Midnight Bisou, dual classic winner I’ll Have Another, Blind Luck, and Kitten’s Joy as well as Grade 1 winners Cavalieri, Chancer McPatrick, Intrepido, Iron Orchard, Raging Torrent, Tenma, and Usha.  

The sale will be streamed live via the OBS website as well as the DRF, TDN, BloodHorse, Pastthewire, and Hipismo.net websites.  

OBS will again offer online bidding during the April Sale. Buyers may go to the OBS website and register to gain bidding approval, then access the OBS Bidding Screen with their credentials. For complete information on registration and online bidding please go to the OBS website: obs-internet-bidding.  

The iPad version of the catalog can be accessed via the equineline Sales Catalog App. The App allows users to download and view the catalog, receive updates and results, record notes and provides innovative search, sort and rating capability. For more information and downloads go to: equineline.com.  

Sales results will be available on the OBS website, updated frequently during each session of the 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.  

Current information about OBS sales, consignors and graduates is now also available via social media sites Facebook and “X”.