Yaupon Colt Tops Day 1 of OBS June Sale at $300,000

The first of two sessions at the Ocala Breeders June 2-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale got underway June 17 with a colt by Yaupon headlining the day at $300,000 selling to Saffie Joseph Jr. The day concluded with gross sales totaling $9,758,500 from 222 horses to change hands; up from 2024 when 212 horses sold for $8,004,000. The average and median were also up at $43,957 and $26,000, respectively. Last year's sale saw an average of $37,755 and a median of $20,000. The RNA rate for today's session was 25.5%, representing the 76 horses who failed to meet their reserve. “Good solid day,” said Tod Wojciechowski, director of sales for OBS. “It felt like horses were moving and changing hands and there was good depth of buyers. Given the strength of the market coming in, we were hopeful and we’re looking forward to tomorrow.” During the under tack show, the Yaupon colt consigned as Hip 104 breezed an eighth of a mile in :09 4/5. He was purchased by trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. from the consignment of Julie Davies. Hip 104 is the first foal out of the Into Mischief mare After Party, who is a half sister to stakes winner Green Destiny and stakes-placed Owen's Leap. “If I like them, I buy them and then I worry about selling them after,” Joseph said. “I had seen this horse in March and obviously, he worked fast there. He came back and duplicated it, and for me, if he can duplicate that time, that means you’re pretty good.” "We came up here expecting him to sell well," said Davies. "How well, you don't know but he did have plenty of action. A lot of people liked his breeze and liked him on the shank. He's very classy so he came out like he owns the place. He's got a good mind to him, and he just presents himself well." Hip 104 hails from Yaupon's first crop of 2-year-olds to race. The grade 1 winning son of Uncle Mo was recently represented by his first stakes winner June 5 when Sassy C W captured the Astoria Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Yaupon stood the 2025 breeding season at Spendthrift Farm for a $25,000 fee. Colts were in demand as they made up the top-five prices of the day, with a colt by Constitution (Hip 35) close behind the topper selling for $280,000 to Sleeper Thoroughbreds and Full of Fun Racing from Cortez Racing and Sales, agent. He galloped during the under tack show. He is a half brother to graded stakes winner Allworthy and graded stakes-placed Miss Mattie B. "He's a super nice horse. We brought him here in April and he bruised his foot in a workout," said Alex Cortez of Cortez Racing & Sales. "But everyone was on him. I did the right thing for the horse, I gave him time off and he came over here and I told everyone about him. Thank God everyone listened. (The price) was not surprising, because I know how good he is." The highest priced filly of the day was Hip 412—Elenique by Leinster who breezed a quarter in :20 3/5. She sold for $140,000 to Leinster Partners from RiceHorse Stables. Top Line Sales dominated consignors during the opening session selling horses for $832,000, with C.H.P.R. leading the buyers, securing 32 head for $422,500. The sale continues Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m. EST with Hips 451 - 833 plus supplements 834 - 873 going through the ring.