The brightest fireworks came late during opening day of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale when a colt by Epicenter lit up the bid board at $1.95 million, less than 20 hips from the end of the April 14 session.
Consigned as Hip 289 by Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables, the big bay colt was apparently one buyers had been waiting for, as indicated by the early bidding that jumped by increments of $100,000 quickly to break the seven-figure threshold. Agents Ben McElroy and Justin Casse ultimately landed the colt for Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing.
The colt attracted the spotlight during the under-tack show last week by breezing a furlong in :09 4/5.
"His performance was exceptional," Justin Casse said. "I'd say that we could 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.
"I also have great respect for Ciaran Dunne. He has been very fond of this horse since January, since I was first on his farm. He's beautiful. He was beautiful in Saratoga when Ciaran bought him."
The colt was purchased under Havertz Stables for $275,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton The Saratoga Sale from the Wynnstay consignment.
Casse said plans for a trainer for the colt are not yet set in stone.
"I'm happy for OBS, and the family connection," Casse said of the fourth-highest priced juvenile to ever sell at the OBS April Sale. "My Dad (Norman Casse) started the place. All that we've been able to accomplish here is really exciting."
Hip 289 was bred in Kentucky by Wynnstay and H. Allen Poindexter. He is the second foal out of the winning Animal Kingdom mare Spanx Legacy, who is a full sister to multiple graded-placed winner Delta's Kingdom.
Day 1 Stats
The opening session of the OBS Spring Sale saw gains across all metrics, with 159 horses selling for $24,578,000, including private sales, up 20% from last year's corresponding session when 165 head brought $20,456,000. The average was up 24.7% to $154,579, compared to $123,976 in 2025, and the median saw a 33% increase to $80,000. The RNA rate was 23%, representing the 47 horses who failed to meet their reserve.
The highest-priced filly of the day was a daughter of Omaha Beach (Hip 74) who was purchased for $900,000 by Spendthrift Farm. The filly was offered by Tom McCrocklin, who bought the filly as a yearling for $400,000 at Fasig-Tipton's Kentucky October Yearling Sale.
Eight horses brought $500,000 or more, and were purchased by eight different entities.
Casse & McElroy/ Amo Racing's single purchase of Hip 289 was enough to put them atop the leading buyers of the session. Wavertree Stables topped the consignors, selling three from their draft for a total of $2,455,000.
In addition to the Epicenter colt, Wavertree sold a Charlatan half brother to grade 1 winner Keeper Ofthe Stars for $400,000 to Hidden Brook, agent. The colt breezed a furlong in :09 4/5 during the under-tack preview.
Day 2 of the OBS Spring Sale begins April 15 at 10:30 a.m. with Hips 307-610 set to head to the ring. As of Tuesday evening, OBS had reported 77 outs.
