With dreams of Kentucky Derby roses, Gayle Van Leer signed the $1 million ticket for Hip 249, a colt by Tapit who topped the first day of the Ocala Breeder's Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale April 15.
The colt was bred in Kentucky by Newtownanner Stud and consigned by Top Line Sales, agent. The gray or roan colt is the 11th foal of the multiple grade 1-placed mare Palacio de Amor, making him a half brother to multiple graded stakes-placed Threefiveindia and stakes winner Hero's Amor. He breezed an eighth of a mile in :10 during the first day of the under tack show.
"He reminded me an awful lot of Sandman, which I fell in love with. He's my Derby horse," said Van Leer. "He's such a smooth-moving horse, and he just caught my eye immediately during the under tack show."
Van Leer signed the ticket on behalf of a new partnership, who wishes to remain anonymous, but hinted the colt may end up on the West Coast. A trainer has not yet been decided.
When asked if she expected to go to $1 million, she said she was prepared: "Yes, we tried on the horse that brought $3 million (Gun Runner colt at OBS March), so yes."
"We didn't even train that horse," said Torie Gladwell of Top Line Sales. "He was a ship-in; somebody else got that horse ready. They did a great job getting him ready and sending him to us. He was a star since the day we got him. I'm happy for Luis (Gavignano) (owner of Hip 249), really happy for Gayle (Van Leer). She was super excited to get that horse.
"He's just a good-quality horse. He's almost a June baby, but he's so sound, and just smart for a Tapit that I think he's going to improve once you get him to the racetrack. Every day is just going to get better and better."
Day 1 Statistics
Day 1 of the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training saw a decline across the board in the gross, average, and median. A total of 156 horses changed hands for $19,962,000, including private sales. Ten horses sold for $450,000 or more. The average was $127,146, with a median of $60,000. Forty-two horses failed to meet their reserve, resulting in an RNA rate of 21%.
Last year's sale saw 159 horses sell for $20,958,500, with an average of $131,814, and a much higher median of $85,000. The RNA rate was 22.4%, representing the 46 horses who failed to meet their reserve. The top-seller was $775,000, Hip 199, a filly by Caracaro .
Case Clay Thoroughbred Management was the leading buyer of the first session with three purchases totaling $1,185,000. He purchased the second-highest priced colt for $600,000—Hip 246, a colt by Vekoma , out of Paden Affair. He hails from the family of multiple graded stakes-winner and millionaire Crazy Beautiful. The colt blazed a quarter in :20 3/5 during the first day of the under tack show for consignor Thorostock. He was bred in Kentucky by Sandra Sexton and Silver Fern Farm.
Case Clay also signed for a pair of fillies—Hip 24, a filly by Yaupon out of multiple graded stakes-placed Lady Lumberjack from the Niall Brennan Stables consignment, and Hip 181—a Street Sense half sister to stakes winner and multiple graded stakes-placed High Opinion, consigned by Hoppel, agent.
De Meric Sales sold eight head for $2,257,000 to lead the consignors. They consigned the highest-priced filly of the session—Hip 190, a filly by Curlin out of the Into Mischief mare Motivated Seller. Donato Lanni signed the ticket for $900,000 on behalf of Baoma, the same entity that campaigns leading Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender Tenma. She will head to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
"I mean, for the most part, it (the market) felt pretty good for us," said Tristan de Meric. "We've got more nice horses to come, but I feel good about the opening day. It feels pretty good up here, I have to say."
