Top of the Market Remains Strong as $1.3-Million Uncle Mo Colt Tops OBS Thursday Session

[Wandering Eyes]

by Jessica Martini & Stefanie Grimm

OCALA, FL – The third session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale might have lacked some of the glitz of the second session which produced six million-dollar juveniles, but more than made up for it with a strong day of results propelling its three-day average well over the record average set at the 2024 auction.

For the session, 144 head sold for $21,806,500, for an average of $151,434 and a median of $80,000. Through three of four sessions, 482 horses have grossed $68,940,000 for an average of $143,029–up 9.9% from last year's cumulative record average of $130,149. The three-day median of $65,000 remains just under last year's record figure of $70,000.

From 906 catalogued lots, 591 have gone through the ring with 109 failing to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 18.4%.

A colt by Uncle Mo was the session's only seven-figure offering, selling for $1.3 million to Ramiro Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock, but seven horses sold for $500,000 or more, compared to just one at the third session in 2024. Through three of four days, 26 horses have sold for $500,000 or more, up from 14 at the same point a year ago.

The session-topping son of Uncle Mo was the eighth to bring $1 million or more at the 2025 Spring sale and all but one of the eight have been colts. Spendthrift Farm manager Ned Toffey has found himself underbidder on most of those prized colts.

“I think from our narrow little view, as a buyer at this sale, it's been extremely competitive,” Toffey said. “But we had a pretty small, elite sort of list. We are looking for horses that have some shot at being a stallion prospect. We did buy one filly, but generally we are looking for stallion prospect type colts. These are horses that physically, and in terms of their breezes, are in the very, very select, highest percentage of what is here. And so what happens is everybody lands on those and it becomes very, very competitive for those few.”

The prevalence of stallion-making partnerships at the yearling sales helps boost demand for those types of horses who make it to the 2-year-old sales, Toffey agreed.

“I think that what we've seen in the last several years since there has been more of that kind of buying activity at the yearling sales, that there are fewer of those kinds of horses here,” Toffey said. “And a lot of those type of stallion prospect horses are coming out of the market. So then the number that is here is that much fewer and everybody is landing on those few and they are going for very, very strong prices. You'd love to see a few more of them here and that might spread the money out a little bit.”

Looking at the overall market in Ocala this week, Toffey added, “I think from the broader standpoint, after you get down past that kind [of colts], there is a little bit more of a fall off than what we would like to see. I am sure that the stock market and the uncertainty right now is probably causing some people to sit this sale out. I would love to see a little bit more depth, but at the highest levels, it's quite strong.”

The OBS Spring sale concludes with a final session Friday. Bidding begins at 10:30 a.m.

'Pretty Spectacular:' $1.3-Million Uncle Mo Colt to Marquee

After a bevy of seven-figure juveniles Wednesday, a colt by Uncle Mo had the million-dollar stage all to himself during Thursday's third session of the OBS Spring sale when selling for $1.3 million to Ramiro Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock. The colt (hip 833) was consigned by Eddie Woods on behalf of his breeder, Steve Young's A1A Racing. He is out of Venezuelan champion Cacciatora (Ven) (Point of Entry) and worked a furlong last week in :10 flat.

Eddie Woods | OBS/VidHorse Photo

“The colt's work was pretty spectacular,” said Restrepo. “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 is a very powerful colt.”

The colt will be trained by Gustavo Delgado, Sr. and Restrepo did his bidding alongside his son and assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado, Jr.

“He's got all the parts and he's by Uncle Mo,” the younger Delgado said. “You look at the gallop-outs and everything and he looked strong all around.”

The colt was purchased on behalf of a group of existing partners, as well as some people new to the game.

“It's a group of some of our existing partners who were in Ferocious and some new guys that are sportsman in the yacht racing world,” Restrepo said. “They like the competition, so they are jumping into horse racing.”

Restrepo made a matching $1.3-million bid to acquire MGISP Ferocious (Flatter) at last year's OBS March sale.

Delgado laughed off offers of congratulations on buying the colt.

“We are happy to have him,” he said.  “Of course, we will have to talk again in one year. Everybody says congratulations. But it should be congratulations to Eddie Woods and the guy who sold him.”

The guy that sold him was veteran bloodstock agent Steve Young, who was still processing the highest price he'd ever sold a homebred for Thursday afternoon.

“It's so fresh that it hasn't set in yet,” Young said. “I think they got a tremendous horse for the money. I know as much about this particular horse as anyone, and there is nothing that would prevent him from being a super horse.”

Cacciatora, who was claimed for $7,000 by trainer Steve Klesaris out of her final career start at Gulfstream in 2020, had a filly by Uncle Mo sell for $320,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September sale. She produced a colt by Uncle Mo in January and was bred back to Practical Joke.

Of the colt's sire, who passed away last December, Young said, “God bless Uncle Mo. Because I really loved him.” @JessMartiniTDN

Caliente Thoroughbreds Hits New High Mark with Maclean's Music Colt

Caliente Thoroughbreds sold their most expensive horse to date Thursday when a colt by Maclean's Music (hip 727) sold to Kaleem Shah's K S I for $850,000 mid-way through the third session at OBS April. The colt worked his furlong in :10.

“He came in in such good form,” said Caliente's Saul Marquez. “He's always showed his class. Very high hopes for him. He's on to his second career and I don't think he's going to disappoint.”

Hip 727 | OBS/VidHorse Photo

Purchased as a yearling for $185,000 at Keeneland September, the colt is a half-brother to four winners including the Steve Asmussen-trained Blue Devil (Uncle Mo) who placed in the GII Lukas Classic Stakes. Asmussen joined Shah as he signed the ticket Thursday.

“I love the colt as an individual,” Asmussen said. “Maclean's Music has been wonderful to me. I actually had Blue Devil also. So it's an individual I absolutely love. I loved his breeze. Just very fortunate Kaleem was willing to buy him.”

“He picked me,” Marquez continued of what initially drew him to the colt in Kentucky last year. “His demeanor, the way he walked.”

Caliente Thoroughbreds, now in their third year as a consigner, have a new high-water mark as Marquez admitted that the colt was the most expensive horse he'd ever sold.

Of the price, Marquez said, “I knew he was going to be special but that's up there. It's incredible.”

The son of Maclean's Music marked the fourth six-figure sell for his consigner this week thus far. Caliente Thoroughbreds also sold a son of Into Mischief (hip 174) for $450,000 to MyRacehorse during Tuesday's opening session.

“The market's been up and down this week,” Marquez admitted. “But a good horse is going to sell and I'm happy overall with all of my results.” –@SGrimmTDN

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