The sale's aggregate of AU$57.57 million ranks behind only the Classic Sale's booming 2022 edition, which grossed AU$67.23 million, and eclipsed 2023's AU$57.48 million.
Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse has been named the sixth chairman of the board in the history of Ocala Breeders' Sales, succeeding Francis Vanlangendonck, who steps down after 35 years on the OBS board.
With Kentucky Derby (G1) preps in full swing, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old Poll was bound to welcome some new faces. John Oxley's Silent Tactic jumped to sixth place with his win in the Feb. 6 Southwest Stakes (G3).
Paladin is the 8-1 individual morning-line favorite and "All Other 3-Year-Olds" not named within the 39 individual interests as the overall 4-1 choice in the latest Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
At the end of a day of steady trade, the sale saw 267 horses change hands for gross receipts of $16,696,500, including private sales, a 43.6% increase from last year's gross of $11,626,500, from 263 head.
Midway through the Feb. 9 Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, Marc Gunderson bought the broodmare and foal package he had targeted: multiple graded stakes-placed Ava's Grace for $950,000, and her yearling filly by Into Mischief for $625,000.
The first Senor Buscador foal bred by the Peacock family of Texas arrived Feb. 7 at Shawhan Place near Paris, Ky. The bay filly is the family's first homebred by its homebred stallion, who stands at Lane's End.