When Eddie Woods speaks, those in the know listen. And bloodstock agent Ramiro Restrepo took the noted consignor's words to heart—then backed it up with his wallet.
On a day that began with a speech about the strength of Florida's Thoroughbred industry, the market buying power showed itself once more during the third session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training April 17 when a colt by the late Uncle Mo sold for $1.3 million to Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock, agent, to lead the action.
The colt, consigned as Hip 833, added to what is already a record-setting OBS Spring sale as he became the eighth horse to sell for seven figures during the 2025 sale, besting the previous mark of five that was established in 2022. The youngster also gave Woods, who is set to retire after the April sale, another highlight moment in a career bursting with achievements.
During the OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, Woods consigned a son of Gun Runner that sold for an OBS record $3 million. The veteran horseman said his expectations for the Uncle Mo colt were also lofty and that he hammered down at almost the exact level predicted.
"I was pretty confident he would sell really well," Woods said. "He had all the right people on him, his video was amazing, he's by a proper stallion. He's supposed to be a nice horse, and he sold accordingly.
"For once, he sold right around where I thought he was going to sell."
The colt, who breezed an eighth in :10, is out of the 2018 Venezuelan champion 2-year-old filly Cacciatora, by Point of Entry , and is from the female family of 1997 Horse of the Year Favorite Trick.
Restrepo said he purchased the A1A Racing-bred colt for a group that includes some of the same partners as the ones who campaigned OBS grad and multiple grade 1-placed Ferocious, and that Woods' endorsement of the juvenile carried significant weight.
"First and foremost, the colt's work was pretty spectacular," Restrepo said. "Going back there and watching the game tape several times, it was pretty evident he had arguably the best breeze in the sale. Physically, I love the medium-sized Uncle Mos. He's a very powerful colt and you also have the lean on the opinion of amazing horsemen like Eddie Woods."
Restrepo added that Gustavo Delgado, who conditioned 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage and Ferocious, will train the Uncle Mo colt.
For the second day in a row, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen's affinity for offspring by his former trainees also helped light up the board in the OBS pavilion.
After owner Kaleem Shah stretched to $1.3 million April 16 to land Hip 585, a colt by former Asmussen protégé Yaupon , he went to $850,000 during Thursday's session to take home Hip 727, a colt by Maclean's Music .
Consigned by Caliente Thoroughbreds, the colt, who breezed in :10, is out of the winning Lemon Drop Kid mare Apologize and is a half brother to graded stakes-placed Blue Devil. The family is one Asmussen is well acquainted with as he trained both Maclean's Music and Blue Devil.
"I love the colt as an individual. Maclean's Music has been wonderful to me," Asmussen said. "I actually had Blue Devil as well, so it's an individual I absolutely love. I loved his breeze. Just very fortunate Kaleem was willing to buy him."
Apologize is a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Aurelia's Belle, and her Maclean's Music colt, bred in Kentucky by Mt. Brilliant Farm and Ranch, gave consignor Saul Marquez his biggest financial success to date.
"He came in in such good form. He's always showed his class," said Marquez of Caliente Thoroughbreds, who sold subsequent multiple grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick at last year's April sale. "Very high hopes for him. He's on to his second career, and I don't think he's going to disappoint. He's the most expensive horse I've sold in three years of consigning. (The market's) been up and down. I've always said a good horse is going to sell. And just happy overall with all my results."
Before the day's session got underway, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made an appearance on the grounds alongside owner Mike Repole and spoke to the audience about the importance of the industry.
READ: DeSantis' View on Decoupling Leaves Horsemen Hopeful
Sale Figures and Statistics
Total gross for the session came in at $21,806,500 from 144 sold, well up from the $15,692,000 generated by 157 sold in 2024. The average of $151,434 jumped up from $99,949 last year, while the median came in at $80,000, a significant improvement compared to $57,000 a year ago.
Overall figures for gross and average are also pacing well ahead of 2024's numbers. The total gross of $68,940,000 is up from $62,545,000 last year at this point with the average jumping from $126,866 in 2024 to $143,029 this year. The median of $65,000 is down slightly from $72,000 through three sessions in 2024.
De Meric Sales leads all consignors by gross through the first three days with 25 sold for $5,842,000. Mahmud Mouni leads all buyers with six purchased for $3,530,000. A total of 109 horses have failed to meet their reserve resulting in an RNA rate of 18.4%.
The sale concludes April 18 beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET with hips 907-1207 selling.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
