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Optimism Runs Highs for 2026 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training

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”.   

Mad House Pulls Count Fleet Upset to Lead Stakes-Winning OBS Grads

James Thares’ Mad House (Vekoma-Stifled Heiress, by Munnings) edged favorite and fellow OBS graduate Roll On Big Joe by a half-length to win the six-furlong $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park April 11, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

Mad House (inside) prevails in the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint
Handicap. (Coady Media)

Trained by David VanWinkle, Mad House raised his career earnings to $603,015 following his sixth victory from 12 starts. The son of Vekoma previously won the Gallant Bob Stakes (G2) last September at Parx.

“I do know that when this horse, Mad House, is on the lead, he’s tough to outrun and he made the lead today and made me feel comfortable for a while,” VanWinkle told Oaklawn publicity. “But down the stretch, I was getting nervous. Roll On Big Joe is a very nice horse and Mad House prevailed, so I’m very happy with him.”

Mad House was purchased by his owner at the 2024 OBS April Sale for $47,000 from the Wavertree consignment after breezing in :10 2/5.

At Keeneland April 11, Midway Racing’s Trendsetter (Modernist- Suyapa, by Astrology) swept past dueling leaders and drew off for an upset 2 ¼-length victory in the $400,000 Lexington Stakes (G3).

Trained by Ben Colebrook, Trendsetter prevailed in his graded stakes debut.

“I wouldn’t say I was surprised. I thought he was going to run good,” Colebrook told Keeneland publicity. “I thought we were going to see some improvement, and if he improved, then he was going to be kind of right there with these horses and get a piece of it.”

Trendsetter was purchased by Davant Latham of Midway Racing for $130,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Grassroots Training and Sales consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

At Aqueduct April 11, Winning Move Stable, Sanford Robbins, Lady Sheila Stable, Silverwood Stables and IEE Racing’s Hot Currency (Central Banker- Calidez, by Spring At Last) was an easy winner of the $200,000 Fourstar Crook division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series.

Trained by Linda Rice, Hot Currency was a $200,000 purchase by Kimmel/Sallusto, Agent for Winning Move Stable at the 2025 OBS April Sale after breezing in :10 flat.

On the same card, Michael Dubb’s Sculcos Folly (Redesdale- Cool Johanna, by Johannesburg) proved much the best with an 8 1/2-length romp in Saturday’s $200,000 Mind Your Biscuits division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series.

Trained by Rick Dutrow, Jr., the win was the second consecutive stakes triumph for Sculcos Folly following a 5 3/4-length score in the state-bred one-mile Gander on March 7.  The son of Redesdale was a $70,000 purchase by Chad Schumer at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Omar Ramirez Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

Trio Records Fastest Eighth to Lead Day 6 of OBS April Under-Tack Show

During the final day of the under-tack show for Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. 2026 Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, a pattern began to emerge amongst the youngsters who found themselves sharing the accolades for the day’s fastest breeze over an eighth of a mile.

Not only did each boast relatives with Breeders’ Cup hardware on their resumes, but they were also the product of families that had already used the OBS grounds to tease of future success.

After Hip 1221, a bay filly by Girvin from the female family of OBS April graduate Cy Fair, set the bar for the day when she threw down an eighth in :9 3/5, a pair of entrants that also featured prominent OBS graduates on their page equaled that mark as Hip 1056, a bay colt by Flightline, and Hip 937, English Woman, a dark bay or brown filly by Authentic helped highlight the sixth day of pre-sale works.

Consigned by Top Line Sales, the Girvin filly started the morning with an exclamation point as the first horse to breeze. Out of the Curlin mare Soma, who is a half sister to graded stakes winner Celestial City, the filly 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.

That existing quality got a significant boost at Del Mar last October when another member of her maternal family in Cy Fair, who sold at last year’s April sale, became just the second filly to prevail in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1).

Torie Gladwell of Top Line Sales. (OBS/VidHorse photo)

“She’s done very well for us over the winter. From yearling to now, she’s just blossomed into a gorgeous, beautiful stretchy filly,” said Torie Gladwell of Top Line Sales. “She’s not just a little speed ball type. People are really going to like her when they see her on the end of the shank. Mentally, she’s a little bit of a Girvin. She loves her job. She goes out there and she will give it up every time you ask her.

“Jimbo (Gladwell) said when he walked her up to the track, he was more confident in that horse than any other horse he’s taken to the track all season.”

The mood was already upbeat in the Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds shedrow this week as they had sent out Hip 570, a daughter of Jackie’s Warrior, to a :9 3/5 breeze during the third day of the under-tack show. The Flightline colt had been the buzz horse of their consignment, however, a status he backed up during his time on the track under ideal weather conditions Saturday.

“It’s been, not like pressure but we’ve had high expectations for this colt since we bought him. He’s just been amazing his whole life,” Randy Hartley said. “You know it can happen and you know what they are, but they have to come here and perform like we think they are. He’s an amazing horse.”

The colt is out of the multiple stakes winning and graded stakes placed mare Lucrezia, a daughter of OBS graduate Into Mischief and half sister to stakes winner and producer Ghalia. Now the seven-time leading sire, Into Mischief first made his mark when he sold at the 2007 OBS March Sale, and Hartley says he sees many qualities of the record-setting Spendthrift stallion coming through in the Flightline colt.

“We love Into Mischief mares, and he looks like an Into Mischief,” Hartley said. “He’s a big colt and you wouldn’t necessarily think a big colt like him would have that kind of speed. He’s got that Into Mischief hip and body and if you watch his video, he just has so much power when he pushes off. He’ s just a cool horse to be around. I’m just super proud of him.”

Just as Flightline capped his career with a Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) victory, so too did champion Authentic, himself a son of Into Mischief. On Saturday, a dark bay daughter of the 2020 Horse of the Year showed her own level of class for the Navas Equine consignment.

English Woman is out of the winning Speightstown mare In It for the Gold, a daughter of stakes winner and multiple Grade 1 placed All Due Respect, a three-time OBS graduate.

A trio of horses tied for the fastest quarter on the day in :20 2/5:

  • Hip 1037, a dark bay or brown filly by Early Voting 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.
  • Hip 1070, a chestnut filly by Drain the Clock consigned by Hoppel LLC. The filly is out of the Grade 1 winning Unbridled’s Song mare Magnificent Song and is a half sister to stakes placed winner Declared.
  • Hip 1181, a dark bay or brown colt by Golden Pal consigned by Richardson Bloodstock. The colt is out of the mare Nefferkitty, a daughter of OBS graduate Kitten’s Joy and a half sister to graded stakes winner Zeitlos.

A total of 10 horses breezed in :9 4/5:

  • Hip 1024, a dark bay or brown colt by Cairo Prince consigned by Top Line Sales. The colt is out of the winning Vronsky mare Leonilla, a half sister to stakes winner and graded stakes placed Tribal Storm.
  • Hip 1032, a bay filly by Tiz the Law consigned by Grade One Investments. The filly is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Lightning Lucy and is from the female family of Grade 1 winner Devil His Due.
  • Hip 1040, Eliminate Excuses, a dark bay or brown filly by Jack Christopher consigned by Really and Truly Thoroughbreds. The filly is out of the Bodemeister mare Little Hidden Gem, a half sister to champion and sire Jackie’s Warrior.
  • Hip 1072, a bay colt by Mystic Guide consigned by Randy Miles. The colt is out of the winning, stakes placed Competitive Edge mare Majestic Edge.
  • Hip 1096, a chestnut filly by Practical Joke consigned by Julie Davies. The filly is out of the graded stakes winning Danehill Dancer (IRE) mare Medea (IRE) and is from the female family of multiple Grade 1 winner High Yield.
  • Hip 1112, a gray or roan filly by OBS graduate Yaupon consigned by Julie Davies. The filly is out of the winning mare Mischief Galore, who is by leading sire and OBS graduate Into Mischief, and is a half sister to OBS April graduate and champion Shisospicy.
  • Hip 1122, a bay filly by Rock Your World consigned by Kings Equine. The filly is out of the Smart Strike mare Missile Belle, a granddaughter of multiple graded stakes producer Screening.
  • Hip 1136, a dark bay or brown filly by Not This Time 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.
  • Hip 1195, a bay filly by Authentic consigned by Cortez Racing & Sales. The filly is out of the winning Speightstown mare Notorious  R B G, a daughter of champion Maryfield.
  • Hip 1210, a chestnut colt by Golden Pal consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne). The colt is out of the winning Pivotal (GB) mare Opal Blue (IRE) and is from the female family of multiple Group 1 winners Magical (IRE) and Rhododendron (IRE).

One horse breezed in :20 3/5:

  • Hip 1203, a bay colt by Army Mule consigned by Hoppel LLC. The colt is out of the winning Tale of the Cat mare On Brilliant, a half sister to multiple stakes winner and graded stakes placed Nothing Better, an OBS April graduate.

The OBS Spring Sale takes place April 14-17 with sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m. each day. For full results of the under-tack show, visit obssales.com.

McCrocklin Pair Post Fastest Quarter During Day 5 of OBS April Under-Tack Show

Count consignor Tom McCrocklin among those having a good week ahead of the 2026 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

After sending out Hip 74, a dark bay or brown filly by Omaha Beach, and Hip 262, a dark bay or brown filly by Oscar Performance, to work in :20 4/5 during the first two days of the under-tack show, McCrocklin’s consignment was again responsible for the fastest quarter mile works on the day as  Hip 851, a bay filly by Oscar Performance, and Hip 915, a gray or roan filly by Liam’s Map, each worked in :20 2/5 during the fifth day of under-tack shows for the OBS April Sale.

The Oscar Performance filly is out of the winning, stakes-placed Daylami (IRE) mare Going Day, a half sister to champion Covfefe. The Liam’s Map filly is out of the Honor Code mare Honor Hop, a half sister to stakes winner Ex Pirate.

Joining McCrocklin in the good mood club was Nelson Arroyo of Arroyo Bloodstock.

Each time Arroyo looked up to watch one of his juveniles breeze over the OBS track this week, he couldn’t help but let a wide grin stretch across his face and a groundswell of pride overtake his being.

When the time came for the founder of Arroyo Bloodstock to watch his seventh and final youngster from the Britton Peak consignment work Friday, the end result sparked a surge of emotions as powerful as the nimble athletes he is set to sell.

In his third year of pinhooking under his own banner, Arroyo and his team are poised to have one of their most successful outings yet in the public auction arena. When Hip 822, a dark bay or brown colt by Jack Christopher owned by Arroyo Bloodstock, worked an eighth in :9 4/5 Friday to tie for the fastest time at the distance, it capped off a week that went above and beyond in terms of the expectations the former jockey held for his crew.

Nelson Arroyo (TBX Photo)

Of the seven horses Arroyo has entered in the OBS April Sale, five of them worked in :9 4/5 with the two others going in :10 flat. This year marks the first time Arroyo has consigned with Greg Martin’s Britton Peak, a pairing that is already off to a flying start following a strong outing together in March.

“It’s still hitting me. It feels real good,” Arroyo said of his week. “We put in a lot of work, and it feels so good to see it pay off. I want to thank the whole team, without them it wouldn’t be possible. Greg Martin did a great job training. This is the first year we’ve worked with him and he’s doing a great job. My (sons), Elijah and Brandon have done a great job. And I want to thank Dean DeRenzo (of Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds) for sure because that’s the man who is making this all possible. He’s the one who taught me all this stuff.”

A focus on conformation and physical presence is what Arroyo zeros in on when purchasing pinhook prospects, and the Jack Christopher colt ticked those boxes in addition to having an accomplished pedigree page. 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.

Like his fellow barn mates, the colt backed up the ability he teased in his prep and ensured his connections head into next week’s sale overflowing with confidence.

“He’s been really nice since Day 1. He’s done everything right from the get-go and this was something we were expecting,” Arroyo said of the colt. “They all did what we expected them to do. We bought good horses and it was up to us to get them here the right way. I was just hoping the team and the crew and Greg’s outfit were going to be able to bring them here in good shape and healthy and have them perform.

“For the five of them to go in :9 4/5 and have two on 10 flat, and great gallop outs…I’m in awe. I can’t believe it.”

Arroyo’s Jack Christopher colt was one of 12 horses to work in :9 4/5 Friday:

  • Hip 817, a dark bay or brown colt by OBS graduate Yaupon consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne). The colt is out of the Verrazano mare Flume, a half sister to Grade 1 placed winner Identity Politics.
  • Hip 819, a bay filly by Vekoma consigned by S B M Training and Sales. The filly is out of the graded stakes winning Palace Malice mare Fly On Angel.
  • Hip 840, a bay filly by Bolt d’Oro consigned by Kings Equine. The filly is out of graded stakes winner Gas Station Sushi, a daughter of leading sire and OBS graduate Into Mischief.
  • Hip 866, a chestnut filly by champion and OBS graduate Corniche consigned by Kings Equine. The filly is out of the winning Tapit mare Grey Stark, a full sister to stakes winner Siem Riep.
  • Hip 917, a gray or roan colt by leading sire and OBS graduate Into Mischief consigned by Chuy Ceballos. The colt is out of the Cairo Prince mare Hot Date, a half sister to graded stakes winner Gibberish.
  • Hip 940, a bay filly by Drain the Clock consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne). The filly is out of the stakes winning Untuttable mare Into Reality, a three-time OBS graduate, and is a half sister to stakes winner Meadowood.
  • Hip 960, a bay filly by OBS graduate Yaupon consigned by Longoria Training & Sales. The filly is out the mare Joyful Cat, who is by OBS graduate Kitten’s Joy and is a full sister to graded stakes winner Charming Kitten.
  • Hip 961, a gray or roan colt by Roadster consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock. The colt is out of the Grey Swallow (IRE) mare Joyous Angel, who is a half sister to graded stakes winner English Bee.
  • Hip 990, a bay colt by Nashville consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock. The colt is out of the winning, stakes-placed Kodiac mare Kodiac Gal (IRE).
  • Hip 1004, a dark bay or brown filly by Munnings consigned by Kings Equine. The filly is out of the graded stakes winning Justin Phillip mare Lady T N T, an OBS graduate.
  • Hip 1012, a bay colt by Bolt d’Oro consigned by Grassroots Training & Sales LLC. The colt is out of the Speightstown mare Laquezza, a half sister to stakes winner and Grade 1 placed Light the City and the dam of multiple graded stakes winner Tumbarumba.

Two horses worked in :20 3/5 to post the second fastest quarter on the day.

  • Hip 888, a dark bay or brown colt by Liam’s Map consigned by Hoppel LLC. The colt is out of the stakes winning Violence mare Heart Full of Soul.
  • Hip 925, a dark bay or brown colt by Upstart consigned by Tom McCrocklin. The colt is out of the Distorted Humor mare Humor Me Dixie, a daughter of graded stakes winner Dixie City, and is a half brother to stakes placed winner Presha, an OBS April graduate.

The under-tack show wraps up April 11 beginning at 8 a.m. ET with Hips 1017-1220 set to work. The OBS Spring Sale takes place April 14-17 with sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m. each day. For full results of the under-tack show, visit obssales.com.

Two Tie for Fastest Eighth During Day 4 of OBS April Under-Tack Show

One day after a filly by Jackie’s Warrior became the first horse to crack the :9 3/5 threshold during the under-tack show for the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, two more youngsters joined that illustrious rank during the fourth session of works April 9.

Under overcast and windy conditions on Thursday, Hip 805, a dark bay or brown colt by Mind Control, signaled the same precocity of his multiple Grade 1 winning sire when he posted the co-fastest time for an eighth of a mile during the day’s first group. 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’s an athletic, nice moving horse,” said David McKathan of Grassroots Training & Sales, which he co-owns along with Jody Mihalic. “We were pretty sure he was going to work fast. He prepped really well. He’s a pretty straightforward horse.  (Mind Control) gets a decent bodied horse and this guy is a New York bred. We like the New York breds, but this colt is really going to do well for somebody anywhere.”

That effort was matched one group later when Hip 754, a bay filly by McKinzie consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne), threw down that top time. Success on the OBS grounds 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.

A trio of horses tied for the fastest quarter on the day, breezing in :20 3/5:

  • Hip 623, a dark bay or brown filly by Omaha Beach 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.
  • Hip 676, a bay filly by Uncle Mo consigned by Tom McCrocklin. The filly is out of the winning, stakes-placed First Samurai mare Corey, who is a half sister to graded stakes winner and OBS graduate Happy Farm.
  • Hip 723, a dark bay or brown filly by Nashville consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock. The filly is out of the winning Distorted Humor mare Distorted Joke, a daughter of stakes winner and OBS April graduate Kiss N Scat.

A total of 15 horses worked in :9 4/5:

  • Hip 614, a chestnut colt by Jack Christopher consigned by Kings Equine. The colt is out of the Mastercraftsman (IRE) mare Champagne Forever (FR) and is from the female family of Group 1 winner Marcellina.
  • Hip 661, a dark bay or brown filly by McKinzie consigned by S G V Thoroughbreds LLC (Steven Venosa). The filly is out of the Pioneerof the Nile mare Compulsion, a half sister to stakes winner Justin Squared and from the female family of multiple Grade 1 winner Spoken Fur.
  • Hip 679, a dark bay or brown colt by Not This Time consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock. The colt is out of the graded stakes placed winner Courteous, who is by OBS graduate Midnight Lute.
  • Hip 681, a bay filly by Jackie’s Warrior consigned by Top Line Sales LLC. The filly is out of the winning, stakes placed Bodemeister mare Crafty’s Dream and hails from the female family of Grade 1 winner Giant Oak.
  • Hip 693, a bay filly by City of Light consigned by Paul Sharp. The filly is out of the winning Giant’s Causeway mare Curuzu, a daughter of graded stakes winner La Reina and full sister to graded stakes winner Chief Havoc.
  • Hip 699, a bay colt by Charlatan consigned by Kings Equine. The colt is out of the Empire Maker mare Dancefortheempire, a granddaughter of multiple graded stakes winner Katz Me If You Can.
  • Hip 703, a chestnut filly by Drain the Clock consigned by Britton Peak. The filly is out of the Kingmambo mare Dancing Alone – a full sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Voodoo Dancer – and is a half sister to graded stakes winner Dancing Solo.
  • Hip 704, a bay colt by Speaker’s Corner consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock. The colt is out of the winning, stakes-placed Summer Bird mare Danessa Deluxe, a half sister to multiple stakes winner Belleofthebeach.
  • Hip 714, a bay colt by Tiz the Law 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 half brother to Grade 1 placed winner Curtain Call, an OBS graduate.
  • Hip 724, a bay colt by Nashville consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne). The colt is out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Diva Style – a half sister to classic winner and sire Tiz the Law – and is a half brother to stakes winner Haute Diva, an OBS April graduate.
  • Hip 732, a bay colt by Highly Motivated consigned by Randy Miles. The colt is out of the winning Gun Runner mare Don’t Tapthebrakes and is from the female family of Breeders’ Cup winner Spun to Run.
  • Hip 733, a dark bay or brown colt by champion and OBS graduate Corniche consigned by Thorostock LLC. The colt is out of the Distorted Humor mare D’oro Digger.
  • Hip 734, a bay colt by Mo Donegal consigned by Britton Peak. The colt is out of the Bernardini mare Double Chocolate, a half sister to graded stakes winner Ready Intaglio and from the female family of champion Ce Ce.
  • Hip 758, a chestnut filly by Hard Spun consigned by Randy Miles. The filly is out of the Nyquist mare Eleganza, a half sister to stakes winners Modern and City Plan.
  • Hip 801, a bay filly by champion and OBS graduate Corniche consigned by de Meric Sales. The filly is out of the Fastnet Rock (AUS) mare Filia and is a half sister to stakes winner and graded stakes placed Determined Kingdom.

The under-tack show continues April 10 beginning at 8 a.m. ET with Hips 814-1016 set to work. The OBS Spring Sale takes place April 14-17 with sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m. each day. For full results of the under-tack show, visit obssales.com.

Jackie’s Warrior Filly Posts Fastest Eighth During Day 3 of OBS April Under-Tack Show

Randy Hartley is accustomed to seeing the filly by Jackie’s Warrior in his barn go about her business with an air of ease. Hence, when the longtime consignor saw the dark bay or brown youngster galloping out following her breeze during the third day of under-tack shows for the OBS Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, it didn’t register at first just how brilliantly she handled her showcase work.

“She’s the easiest horse in the world to train,” Hartley said of the filly consigned as Hip 570. “She just does her business, she’s super smart, she carries weight. She did that today and just acted like ‘Okay, whatever.’”

Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo (OBS Photo)

The casual nature of the filly’s breeze was a fortuitous moment for Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbred’s small but mighty OBS April consignment as she worked in :9 3/5, the fastest time any horse has posted over an eighth of a mile during the first three days of the under-tack show.

Out of the graded stakes winning Indian Charlie mare Brazen Persuasion, an OBS graduate, the filly is one of four horses set to be offered by Hartley/DeRenzo during the April sale. 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 love the pedigree, we love Indian Charlie mares, that means the world to us,” Hartley said. “(The mare) was a graded stakes winner as a 2-year-old, Steve Asmussen trained the mother and the sire. When we saw her, we just loved her. And mentally she’s going to make a great racehorse because nothing bothers her. I knew she was going to be (at least) :9 4/5 just by the way she moves.

“I didn’t even know what she went (during her breeze) because I was on the pony and she galloped out really nice. We’re just super proud of her. She’s done everything the right way.”

Hartley pointed out that another of his consignment’s graduates, champion female sprinter and OBS April covergirl Shisospicy, also posted a :9 3/5 breeze when she was offered during the 2024 OBS April Sale. Based off what he has seen from his latest protégé, his aspirations are similarly lofty.

“If I had to keep one, she would be one. She’s got a beautiful head, she’s got body, she’s got muscle,” he said. “She would be one I would keep because she’s going to run good and have beautiful babies. She’s just a cool horse.”

On a day that featured ideal weather conditions prior to rain showers popping up during the third session, Hip 596, a gray or roan colt by Roadster consigned by Ocala Stud, and Hip 525, a bay colt by American Pharoah consigned by Tom McCrocklin, tied for the fastest quarter when they worked in :20 3/5.

The Roadster 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. The American Pharoah colt is out of the winning Galileo (IRE) mare Belle de Nuit, a daughter of Group 1 winner La Belga (ARG).

The second fastest quarter-mile time on the day came when Hip 529, a chestnut colt by Munnings consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock, breezed in :20 4/5. The colt is out of the Noble Mission (GB) mare Bellize, a daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Belleski.

One horse breezed three-eighths on the day, Hip 523, a dark bay or brown colt by Modernist consigned by CM Thoroughbreds who worked in :33 1/5. The colt is out of the Flatter mare Bellamise.

A total of 14 horses worked an eighth in :9 4/5:

  • Hip 407, a bay colt by OBS graduate Collected consigned by Longoria Training & Sales. The colt is out of the winning Flatter mare You Flatter Me and is from the female family of multiple graded stakes winner Venetian Harbor, an OBS April graduate.
  • Hip 447, a dark bay or brown filly by Jack Christopher consigned by J V C Training and Sales. The filly is out of the American Pharoah mare America’s Surprise, who is a half sister to Hall of Famer Songbird.
  • Hip 450, a dark bay or brown colt by Drain the Clock consigned by L. G., Agent. The colt is out of the stakes winning Warrior’s Reward mare Andreya’s Reward, an OBS graduate.
  • Hip 458, a chestnut filly by Jack Christopher consigned by Harris Training Center. The filly is out of the Street Boss mare Answer the Bell, a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner Alms.
  • Hip 462, a dark bay or brown colt by Upstart consigned by Britton Peak. The colt is out of the winning Songandaprayer mare Apalachee Song, a half sister to champion Artax.
  • Hip 483, a chestnut colt by Charlatan consigned by Top Line Sales.  The colt is out of the Malibu Moon mare Aurora Point, a half sister to stakes winner and Grade 1 placed Rattlesnake Bridge.
  • Hip 499, a gray or roan colt by Essential Quality consigned by Five Point Thoroughbreds. The colt is out of the Tiznow mare Back Up the Brinks and is from the female family of champions Forte and Folklore.
  • Hip 500, a dark bay or brown colt by Core Beliefs consigned by Julie Davies. The colt is out of the winning, stakes placed Bernardini mare Bag of Tricks.
  • Hip 515, a dark bay or brown colt by Nashville consigned by New Era Farm. The colt is out of the stakes winning Super Saver mare Bear and is from the female family of champion sire Storm Cat.
  • Hip 530, a bay colt by Jack Christopher consigned by Lucan Bloodstock (Karl Keegan). The colt is out of the Ghostzapper mare Bell Witch, a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Our Flash Drive.
  • Hip 539, Be in Monty’s Mind, a bay colt by Mind Control consigned by Tomorrow Farms. The colt is out of the winning Afleet Alex mare Biamonte, a half sister to Venezuelan champion Amelazado.
  • Hip 576, a chestnut colt by Cyberknife consigned by de Meric Sales. The colt is out of the winning Unbridled’s Song mare Broadway Show, a daughter of graded stakes winner and dual OBS graduate Richiegirlgonewild.
  • Hip 593, a bay filly by Golden Pal consigned by Randy Miles. The filly is out of the winning Frosted mare Calle Ocho, a daughter of Grade 1 winner Mistical Plan and a half sister to graded stakes winner and OBS graduate Patriot Spirit.
  • Hip 598, a chestnut colt by Flameaway consigned by Top Line Sales. The colt is out of the winning Cape Blanco (IRE) mare Cape Time and is from the female family of Triple Crown winner Justify.

The under-tack show continues April 9 beginning at 8 a.m. ET with Hips 611-813 set to work. The OBS Spring Sale takes place April 14-17 with sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m. each day. For full results of the under-tack show, visit obssales.com.

Three Tie for Fastest Quarter During Day 2 of OBS April Under-Tack Show

It was nearly ten years ago that a juvenile co-bred by Mill Ridge Farm’s Headley Bell out of the Consolidator mare Sweet Assay used their time on the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company grounds as a jumping off point to a career filled with on-track success.

During the second day of under-tack shows for the 2026 OBS Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, another foal out of Sweet Assay that is the product of Bell’s breeding acumen took the first steps toward following in those accomplished footsteps.

During the 2017 OBS March Sale, Analyze It, the first foal out of the winning mare Sweet Assay, sold en route to becoming a multiple graded stakes winner and Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) placed. During Tuesday’s under-tack show, Hip 262, a dark bay or brown filly that is a half sister to Analyze It, signaled her own ability when she breezed a quarter-mile in :20 4/5, tying with Hip 246 and Hip 280 for the fastest time on the day at the distance.

Like her half sibling, the filly – who is consigned by Tom McCrocklin and by Mill Ridge stallion Oscar Performance – was bred by the partnership of Headley Bell, Nancy Bell & NATO. In addition to the success her dam has already enjoyed in her broodmare career, the filly has more red-hot bloodlines behind her with Oscar Performance climbing up the general sire list.

“She’s a filly from a family that we do care a lot about,” Bell said of the filly. “We were fortunate to breed Analyze It and he was just a nose from winning a Grade 1. So, there has been some emotions there with the family. We think the world of Tom McCrocklin, and he says she’s never shown him anything other than she’s a lovely filly. We decided to go forward with her in this process, and then she goes and does what she did today.”

Bell added the Oscar Performance filly has more size on her at this point than Analyze It and has drawn rave reviews for her easy way of moving.

“She’s a little bigger than (Analyze It) was, which is surprising because Point of Entry (sire of Analyze It) was a good-sized horse,” Bell said. “But she’s a very elegant filly. She’s a beautiful mover. Tom has always liked her since Day One. And Oscar Performance is a horse who has moved up his mares.”

Joining the Oscar Performance filly for top quarter-mile clocking was Hip 246, a chestnut colt by Jack Christopher consigned by Doble J Equine Sales, and Hip 280, a bay colt by Bee Jersey consigned by Hoppel LLC.

The Jack Chrisopher colt is out of the winning, stakes placed Old Forester mare Sugar Jones. The Bee Jersey colt is out of the winning Tale of Ekati mare Tale of Class and is from the female family of Canadian champions Sky Classic, Regal Classic, Grey Classic, and Classy ‘N Smart.

Tuesday’s under-tack show was delayed two hours due to rain in the area. Once the session got underway, Hip 406, Told You So, a bay colt by Twirling Candy consigned by Scanlon Training & Sales, set the tone by becoming one of 18 horses to work in :9 4/5, the fastest time for an eighth on the day.

Told You So is out of the winning, graded stakes placed Yes It’s True mare You Asked and is a half brother to graded stakes winner Do Share.

The other horses to work in :9 4/5 included:            

  • Hip 211, a bay colt by Khozan consigned by Journeyman Bloodstock Services, Inc (Brent & Crystal Fernung). The colt is out of the winning Congrats mare Starship Crystal and is a full brother to stakes winner Khozalite, an OBS April graduate.
  • Hip 228, a bay colt by McKinzie consigned by Randy Miles. The colt is out of the winning Bustin Stones mare Stonecoldfox.
  • Hip 261, a gray or roan colt by Uncle Mo consigned by Randy Miles. The colt is out of winning, stakes placed Tapit mare Sweet as Pie and is from the female family of champion Rags to Riches.
  • Hip 263, a bay colt by Dialed In consigned by Top Line Sales LLC. The colt is out of the winning Scat Daddy mare Sweet Ella, a daughter of multiple stakes winner and graded stakes placed Sweet Monarch.
  • Hip 267, a bay filly by Charlatan consigned by Randy Miles. The filly is out of the winning Candy Ride (ARG) mare Sweet Lady Ivanka, who is from the female family of champion Honor Code.
  • Hip 278, a dark bay or brown colt by Greatest Honour consigned by Navas Equine. The colt is out of the winning, stakes placed Violence mare Take Me to Hardoon.
  • Hip 287, a bay filly by OBS graduate Yaupon consigned by de Meric Sales. The filly is out of the winning, stakes-placed Valid Expectations mare Tea for Two, an OBS graduate who is a full sister to stakes winner Bridesmaid and from the female family of champion sire Storm Cat.
  • Hip 288, a bay filly by Win Win Win consigned by Grassroots Training & Sales LLC. The filly is out of the winning It’s No Joke mare Tempest’s Flash and is a half sister to stakes placed winners Miss Mary Nell and OBS April graduate Ababajoni.
  • Hip 289, a bay colt by Epicenter consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne). The colt is out of the winning Animal Kingdom mare Spanx Legacy, a full sister to graded stakes placed winner Delta’s Kingdom.
  • Hip 306, a chestnut filly by Instagrand consigned by Sweet River Thoroughbreds. The filly is out of the winning Will Take Charge mare Tijori, a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Abaan.
  • Hip 312, a bay colt by Life Is Good consigned by Britton Peak. The colt is out of the graded stakes winning Tiznow mare Tiz Breathtaking.
  • Hip 376, a gray or roan colt by Game Winner consigned by Britton Peak. The colt is out of the graded stakes winning Tapit mare West Coast Belle and is half brother to multiple stakes placed winner Think Fast.
  • Hip 382, a chestnut filly by Munnings consigned by Randy Miles. The filly is out of the Candy Ride (ARG) mare White Hot Gold, a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Mind Control.
  • Hip 386, a chestnut filly by OBS graduate Kantharos consigned by Randy Miles. The filly is out of the winning Stormy Atlantic mare Wicked Storm and is a half sister to stakes winner Leslie’s Loot.
  • Hip 391, a dark bay or brown filly by Life Is Good consigned by Global Thoroughbreds LLC. The filly is out of the winning Quality Road mare Wings of an Angel and is from the female family of Grade 1 winner Eskendereya.
  • Hip 402, a dark bay or brown filly by OBS graduate Yaupon consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock. The filly is out of the winning Tourist mare World Tour and is from the female family of Grade 1 winner Majestic Warrior. She is also a half sister to Group 3 placed Dozalla.
  • Hip 404, Voteearlyvoteoften, a chestnut colt by Early Voting consigned by Top Line Sales. The colt is out of the winning Proud Citizen mare Wyn Jym and is from the female family of multiple graded stakes winner and OBS graduate The Pamplemousse.

The under-tack show continues April 8 beginning at 8 a.m. ET with Hips 407-610 set to work. The OBS Spring Sale takes place April 14-17 with sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m. each day. For full results of the under-tack show, visit obssales.com.

Omaha Beach Filly Paces Day 1 of OBS April Under-Tack Show

A key component of finding success during the juvenile auction season is having ideal timing converge at just the right moment. For a daughter of Omaha Beach in Tom McCrocklin’s consignment, both her skills and pedigree appear to be synchronizing in stellar fashion ahead of the 2026 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

Following a weekend that saw her page get a massive update, Hip 74, a dark bay or brown filly by the popular Spendthrift Farm sire had her own moment on the track when she worked a quarter mile in :20 4/5 April 6, the fastest time at the distance during the first of six days of under-tack shows for the 2026 OBS April Sale.

Bred by WinStar Farm, the filly 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. Ready for Charm’s already accomplished lineage was further bolstered this weekend as she is also a half sister to the mare Honestly Deb, the dam of recent Ashland Stakes (G1) winner and leading Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender Percy’s Bar.

“She’s a very nice filly, always has been,” McCrocklin said. “We got some Grade 1 activity this weekend. She’s a big, imposing, physical filly. She has a beautiful stride and she galloped out really, really well. I couldn’t be happier with her.”

Consignor Tom McCrocklin. (OBS/Photos by Z)

Quality indeed is all over the page for the Omaha Beach filly. Her granddam Deb’s Charm was a graded stakes placed winner and is a daughter of Hall of Famer and OBS graduate Silver Charm.

“She’s got the whole package in my opinion,” McCrocklin said of the filly. “She’s got a great physical presence and she’s by a really good, up and coming stallion. The female family is very, very solid and she showed up on breeze day, which you need to do or else you’re going to get your feelings hurt.”

A total of three horses worked in :21:

  • Hip 113, Off in the Corner, a dark bay or brown colt by Karakontie (JPN) consigned by Hoppel LLC. The colt is out of the More Than Ready mare Sally Dangles, who is a full sister to graded stakes winner Consumer Credit.
  • Hip 121, a dark bay or brown colt by Audible consigned by Top Line Sales. The colt is out of the winning mare Saucy At Midnight, who is by OBS graduate Midnight Lute and is a half sister to graded stakes winner and OBS graduate Rose to Gold.
  • Hip 169, a dark bay or brown filly by Street Sense consigned by Cruzin’ Thoroughbreds. The filly is out of the winning Successful Appeal mare Sky Gold, who is a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Got Stormy.

A total of 17 horses worked in :9 4/5 to tie for the fastest eighth on the day:

  • Hip 14, Be a Clown, a dark bay or brown colt by Practical Joke consigned by Wavertree Stables (Ciaran Dunne). The colt is out of the winning Mineshaft mare Pearl Pendant and is a half sister to multiple stakes winner Pearl Tiara.
  • Hip 15, a bay colt by Life Is Good consigned by de Meric Sales. The colt is a half brother to multiple stakes winner Doc Boy and is out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Peggy May, a daughter of champion Perfect Sting. The colt also hails from the female family of graded stakes winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Potente.
  • Hip 16, a dark bay or brown colt by Nashville consigned by Envision Equine. The colt is out of the stakes winning Yes It’s True mare Peisinoe, an OBS graduate, and is a half brother to graded stakes placed winner Proverb, an OBS April graduate.
  • Hip 17, a gray or roan filly by Roadster consigned by Top Line Sales. The filly is out of the High Cotton mare Peque and is from the female family of graded stakes winner Chispiski.
  • Hip 20, a dark bay or brown filly by Central Banker consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock. The filly is out of the Noble Mission (GB) mare Perfect Kind, a granddaughter of Grade 1 winner Passing Shot.
  • Hip 26, a chestnut filly by Vekoma consigned by Randy Miles. The filly is out of the winning Eskendereya mare Pink Cashmere, a half sister to graded stakes winner Golden Brown.
  • Hip 32, a dark bay or brown colt by Tale of Silence consigned by Lucan Bloodstock (Karl Keegan). The colt is out of the winning, Grade 1 placed Orb mare Pleasant Orb, a daughter of Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Pleasant Home. The colt also hails from the female family of recent San Carlos Stakes (G3) winner Cornucopian.
  • Hip 38, a gray or roan colt by Good Magic consigned by McKathan Bros. Sales. The colt is out of the multiple graded stakes winning Scat Daddy mare Pretty N Cool.
  • Hip 43, a gray or roan colt by Liam’s Map consigned by Scanlon Training & Sales. The colt is out of the Speightstown mare Princess Char, who is from the female family of Grade 1 winner Family Enterprize.
  • Hip 75, a dark bay or brown filly by OBS graduate Yaupon consigned by Julie Davies. The filly 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 110, a bay colt by Army Mule consigned by Randy Miles. The colt is out of the Saint Liam mare Saintly Sister, a half sister to graded stakes winner Dixie City.
  • Hip 117, a dark bay or brown filly by Maclean’s Music consigned by Randy Miles. The filly is out of the Hard Spun mare Sarah Joe and is from the female family of Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Spain.
  • Hip 122, a bay colt by War Front consigned by Camelot Acres Racing and Sales. The colt is out of the winning Pivotal mare Say Hey (FR).
  • Hip 123, a dark bay or brown filly by OBS graduate Yaupon consigned by Niall Brennan Stables. The filly is out of the winning Scat Daddy mare Scadadle and is from the female family of graded stakes winner and classic placed Vision and Verse.
  • Hip 133, a dark bay or brown colt by Honor A. P. consigned by Bryan Ford Training Stable. The colt is out of the Nyquist mare Seeking Mo Jewel, a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Deterministic.
  • Hip 151, a bay filly by Authentic consigned by Kings Equine. The filly is out of the winning Malibu Moon mare Shoot for the Moon, who is out of a half sister to leading sire Distorted Humor and is herself a half sister to graded stakes winner Liam’s Dream.
  • Hip 175, a bay filly by Charlatan consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc. (Ciaran Dunne). The filly is out of the Run Away and Hide mare Sociable, a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner and sire The Factor. The Charlatan filly is a half sister to Grade 1 winner Keeper ofthe Stars.

The under-tack show continues April 7 beginning at 8 a.m. ET with Hips 204-406 set to work. The OBS Spring Sale takes place April 14-17 with sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m. each day.

For full results of the under-tack show, visit obssales.com.

OBS Grads Further Ado, So Happy Book Kentucky Derby Slots with Grade 1 Victories

Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado (Gun Runner- Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa), who scored his maiden victory at Keeneland by 20 lengths last October, continued to show his affinity for the Lexington track when he captured the $1,250,000 Blue Gass Stakes (G1) by 11 lengths on April 4, cementing his status as one of the favorites for the first leg of the Triple Crown and leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

With the Blue Grass victory, Further Ado earned 100 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard for a total of 135 points and guaranteed a spot in the starting gate for the 152nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1).

Trained by Brad Cox, Further Ado is now a two-time graded stakes winner and boosted his earnings to $1,146,328. 

Further Ado wins the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes.
(Keeneland photo)

“I felt he had moved forward since Tampa (when he finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) March 7), so I expected him to run well,” Cox told Keeneland publicity. “I thought he got a great trip. We kind of put a plan together with him last fall after he won here, to run him at Churchill and have two races leading up to what we hoped would get him to the (Kentucky) Derby, and it worked out. It’s always nice when a plan works out because most of the time it doesn’t. He’s a good colt, full of quality, athletic, a great mover.”

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. 

About an hour after Further Ado’s victory, So Happy (Runhappy-So Cunning, by Blame) joined him as a top Kentucky Derby contender when he prevailed in the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

Trained by Mark Glatt, So Happy is owned by Norman Stables and Saints or Sinners. He previously captured the Grade 2, $200,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Park Jan. 10.

“He kept on going today,” winning jockey Mike Smith told Santa Anita publicity. “Today he really felt fit and ready to race. I can’t say enough of what a great and wonderful man Mark Glatt. The Kentucky Derby is America’s race.  Anyone in the world would want to be in that race. There’s more there in the tank for sure.”

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.

The undercard of the Blue Grass Stakes saw Grade 1 winner Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming – New Narration, by Tapit) pounce at the top of the stretch and coast to a 2¾-length victory in the Commonwealth Stakes (G3).

Trained by Brad Cox, Saudi Crown is now a three-time graded stakes winner and increased his earnings to $3,686,508. Consigned by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent, to the 2022 OBS Spring Sale, Saudi Crown was sold for $240,000 after breezing in :10 flat

At Aqueduct April 4, Winning Move Stable’s Yo Daddy (Yoshida (JPN)-Elle Stormin’, by Tale of the Cat) earned his first stakes score in the $150,000 Excelsior.

Trained by Linda Rice, Yo Daddy was offered at the 2023 OBS June Sale by Britton Peak where he failed to meet his reserve after breezing in :21 4/5.

At Evangeline Downs April 4, Michael H.  Rotstein and Olof, LLC’s Tiz Mary’s Comet (Good Samaritan – Suzie’s Dream, by Tiz the One) prevailed in the $60,000 Lafayette Stakes. Trained by Rylee Magnon, the gelding was purchased by his owners at the 2025 OBS June Sale from the Omar Ramirez Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

Son of Gun Runner Tops OBSOnline ‘Second Chance’ March Auction

For Immediate Release

A bay colt by top sire Gun Runner sold post sale for $90,000 to Prancing Horse Farm LLC, topping the 2026 OBSOnline March “Second Chance” sale, a digital auction held March 27-31 featuring horses who breezed during the March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale and either scratched or failed to meet their reserve.

Consigned as Hip 507 by Wavertree Stables (Ciaran Dunne), the colt is out of the winning, Group 3 placed American Pharoah mare Willow (IRE), who is out of European champion Peeping Fawn and is a half sister to British stakes winner and Grade/Group 1 placed September (IRE). The colt breezed in :10 3/5 during the March under-tack show.

The second highest priced horse to sell was Hip 32, a bay filly by first-crop sire Epicenter who elicited a final bid of $70,000 from O’Neill Bloodstock. Consigned by Top Line Sales, the filly is out of the winning Mucho Macho Man mare Hurley, who is a daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Rite Moment. Hurley is a half sister to UAE Oaks (G3) winner Mimi Kakushi as well as stakes winners Moment is Right and Laudation.

The Epicenter filly breezed in :10 flat during the March under-tack show.

As of April 1, a total of 10 horses sold for gross receipts of $419,500 for an average of $41,950 and median of $37,500.

OBSOnline will also hold a “Second Chance” auction following the upcoming Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training taking place April 14-17. The April digital auction will begin at noon ET April 24 and conclude at noon April 28.

Dark Saffron Defends Dubai Golden Shaheen Crown to Lead Stakes-Winning OBS Grads

One year after becoming the eighth Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company graduate to win the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), Sultan Ali’s Dark Saffron (Flameaway -Meadow Saffron, by Military) defended his title in the $2 million race when he outsprinted reigning Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner and fellow OBS graduate Bentornato on the Dubai World Cup undercard at Meydan Racetrack March 28, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

Dark Saffron wins the Dubai Golden Shaheen for a second straight
year. (Dubai Racing Club photo)

Trained by Ahmad Bin Harmash, Dark Saffron joins the likes of Caller One and Mind Your Biscuits as back-to-back winners of the Dubai Golden Shaheen, which serves as a ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland.

“Obviously he won this race last year and he come back and run really well, it was a bit of a workout first time he ran this season,” winning jockey Connor Beasley told Dubai Racing Club publicity. “Then he had a bit of an incident in the stalls and banged his head and sort of lost his way. I think he lost a bit of confidence for his next three or four runs, but his last run we felt he was coming back to himself.”

Consigned by Julie Davies, Dark Saffron was purchased by Harmash Racing for $120,000 out of the 2024 OBS April sale after breezing in :9 4/5.

At Oaklawn Park on March 27, West Point Thoroughbreds’ Counting Stars (Honor A.P.- Paynterbynumbers, by Paynter) cemented her spot in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) field when she rolled to a 5 ½-length victory in the $1 million Fantasy Stakes (G2).

The Fantasy awarded 150 total points to its top five finishers (75-37.5-18.75-11.25-7.5, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Oaks. A daughter of Honor A. P., Counting Stars raised her career earnings to $972,606 following her fourth victory from seven starts.

Trained by dual Hall of Famer 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.

The Oaklawn Park card March 28 saw Doubledown Stables’ Nu What’s New (Munnings-Heavenly Scat, by Scat Daddy) hold off Grade 1 winners East Avenue and Full Serrano to win Saturday’s $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) by three-quarters of a length.

The Oaklawn Mile represented the first career stakes victory for the speedy Nu What’s New, who was exiting a runner-up finish behind subsequent Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Magnitude in the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) Feb. 28.

Trained by Jimmy DiVito, Nu What’s New was purchased by DiVito, as agent, for $300,000 at the 2024 OBS April Sale from the Eddie Woods consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.

At Gulfstream Park March 28, Lou Donato, Theodore Manziaris, Paul Borrelli and Lanni Bloodstock’s Sultana (Always Dreaming- Private Offering, by Pulpit) pulled off a late-rallying upset in the $175,000 Orchid Stakes (G3).

The Kevin Attard-trained daughter of Always Dreaming had run on turf only once in five prior starts.  She was a $50,000 purchase by Harbour 60 Club at the 2023 OBS June Sale from the New Hope consignment after breezing in :21. 

At Oaklawn Park on March 26, Grade 3 winner Desert Gate (Omaha Beach-Theogony, by Curlin) showed his class with a wire-to-wire romp in the one-mile $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes.

Desert Gate finished 9 3/4 lengths ahead of fellow OBS grad Soldier N Diplomat in the four-horse field. Hall of Famer Bob Baffert trains Desert Gate for longtime clients Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. He was purchased by his owners for $260,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale from the Navas Equine consignment after breezing in :9 4/5.

At Tampa Bay Downs March 29 during the 23rd edition of the Florida Cup, Maykomotion (Vekoma-Maymont by Unbridled’s Song) made light work of the $110,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomores by tapping into his early speed for a two-length victory.

Trained by George Weaver, he is owned by Bona Venture Stables and Bianco Thoroughbreds. He was purchased by SGV/GRW, Agent for Bona Venture Stable at the 2025 OBS April Sale for $160,000 from the Niall Brennan Stables consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.

The Florida Cup card also saw Mr Mo’s Magic (Uncle Chuck- Magical Flair, by Defrere), a Lynn Rarick trainee, pull off the 13-1 upset in the $110,000 Sophomore Turf.

Owned by Ray Huelsman and Keith Anderson, Mr Mo’s Magic is a dual OBS grad, having been sold by Summerfield to Laureles Racing for $12,000 at the 2024 OBS Winter Mixed Sale and then purchased by his owners for $50,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Majestic consignment after breezing in  :10 1/5.

Skippylongstocking Adds Essex to Resume to Lead Stakes-Winning OBS Grads

Daniel Alonso’s Grade 1 winner Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator – Twinkling, by War Chant) made short work of his overmatched rivals when he cruised to a 5 ¼-length victory in the $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park March 21, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates.

Skippylongstocking wins the Grade 3 Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park.
(Coady Media)

The victory marked the 12th career graded triumph for Skippylongstocking and increased his overall earnings to $5,746,250 after winning for the 14th time in 37 starts. The 7-year-old son of Exaggerator has won his last three starts, including the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. Skippylongstocking’s winning time was 1:48.82, the quickest since the Essex was extended from 1 1/16 to 1 1/8 miles in 2024.

“Obviously before the race, you’re the favorite” Joseph told Oaklawn Park publicity. “There’s a lot of pressure and you’re thinking all different variables, but it worked out great. He was very impressive once again.”

Skippylongstocking was purchased by Alonso for $37,000 out of the Top Line Sales consignment at the 2021 OBS April Sale after breezing an eighth in :10 2/5.

Paradise Farms Corp.’s Willy D’s (Lookin At Lucky-Boston Mine, by Mineshaft) out finished defending winner Mercante to capture the $295,000 Kentucky Cup Classic (G3) at Turfway Park March 21 and earn his first graded stakes win.

Trained by Mike Maker, Willy D’s boosted his earnings $757,008. The six-time winner was purchased for $60,000 by Greg Compton, agent for Danny W. Brown at the 2023 OBS April Sale from the Woodside Ranch consignment after breezing in :22 1/5.

At Fair Grounds on March 21, Twin Oaks Bloodstock’s Way to Be Marie (Not This Time –Woman of the World, by Henrythenavigator) successfully defended her title in the $150,000 Tom Benson Memorial, part of the undercard stakes on Louisiana Derby Day.

Way to Be Marie was making her first start for trainer Eddie Kenneally and rallied down the center of the stretch to capture the Tom Benson Memorial for the second straight year. She was purchased by Madaket Stables for $95,000 out of the 2023 OBS April sale from the GOP Racing Stable consignment after breezing in :21 1/5.

The Louisiana Derby undercard also saw Keith Plaisance’s Nine Part (Leofric – Alva, by Into Mischief) earn his first stakes victory in just his second turf start in the $100,000 Costa Rising.

Trained by Bobby Felks, Nine Part prevailed by one length to earn his sixth win from seven career starts. He was purchased by Nick Hines, agent for Plaisance, for $46,000 at the 2023 OBS June Sale from the Grassroots Training and Sales consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.

At Laurel Park March 21, Miss Fulton Gal (Rock Your World-Leah Forestiere, by Not This Time) managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in Saturday’s $100,000 Beyond the Wire Stakes when she scored by a head.

Miss Fulton Gal is trained by Michael Gorham and is a two-time OBS graduate, having sold for $5,000 as a yearling at the 2024 OBS October Sale out of the Afleet Equine Services consignment before being purchased $35,000 at the 2025 OBS June Sale by jockey Vincent “Jimbo” Bracciale on behalf of co-owners Trott Racing Stables and Five Sisters Farm, who campaign her with John Polizos, out of the Blue Sapphire Stables consignment after breezing in :21 3/5.

At Turfway Park March 21, Highlander Training Center’s Stylish Sue (Nyquist-Maria Maria, by Curlin) went straight to the front and was never headed en route to the victory in the $248,000 Latonia Stakes.

Trained by Joe Sharp, Stylish Sue was offered by Clary Bloodstock at the 2023 OBS March Sale where she failed to meet her reserve after breezing in :10 3/5.

The Gulfstream Park card on March 22 saw Amy Dunne, Caitlin Dunne, Brenda Miley, Jean Wilkinson, Hoffman Family Racing, Tranquility Lake Farm, Maury Harrington and Christopher Harrington’s Lennilu (Leinster – Lulu’s Pom Pom, by Pomeroy) kick off her season with a victory over fellow OBS grad Mystical Belle in the $125,000 Leinster Melody of Colors.

Trained by Patrick Biancone, Lennilu earned her fifth win from seven career starts and fourth in a stakes. She was purchased by Glencrest Farm for $23,000 from the Abbie Road Farm consignment at the 2024 OBS Winter Mixed Sale.

At Fair Grounds on March 22, Blue Fire (Aurelius Maximus – Mystic Blue, by Maimonides) sped to the lead and held off fellow OBS grad Margie’s Intention in the four-horse field to win the $100,000 Shantel Lanerie Memorial

Owned by Stonestreet Stables and Peter Leidel and trained by Steve Asmussen, Blue Fire was purchased for $32,000 by Fast Horses out of the 2023 OBS Winter Mixed Sale from the Kaizen Sales consignment.