The OBS Winter Mixed Sale in Ocala ended its two-day auction on Jan. 29 with 359 horses sold for a total of $4,957,800, compared to 399 horses bringing $4,459,900 last year. The average was $13,810, up 23.5% from $11,178 in 2019 while the median price was $7,000, compared with $6,000 a year ago. The buyback percentage was 25.4%; it was 18.6% in 2019.
Following the Keeneland January Sale in Lexington, in which Canadians were active buying horses of all ages, some locals were on the buyer’s sheets for the two-day Ocala sale.
BRUNO SCHICKEDANZ, Woodbine’s leading owner in 2019 by wins, bought more than a dozen horses to add to his massive Thoroughbred operation which numbers about 500. Most of Schickedanz’ purchases were mares but he did buy an unraced 3-year-old filly by Biondetti who worked three furlongs in :33.00 for the sale. He paid $11,500 for the Florida-bred.