One of the benefits of living in the Horse Capital of the World is being local for the many free horse events in Ocala. This week we went and checked out the Ocala Breeders Sale March 2 year old sale.
For those of you unfamiliar with Ocala Breeders Sale, they have three sales events a year which are split into different age ranges. During the sale of the under saddle horses, there are 4 days where the young horses are breezed over an eighth of a mile. The following week hundreds of horses are auctioned off to the highest bidder over the course of 3 days.
All of the young horses and their royal pedigree's are featured in a hefty catalog you can obtain at the Sales Pavillion when you enter the building. In this years catalog we had a line up 853 hopeful young stars.
If you continue down the hall past the sales pavillion, and sports bar, the doors will lead you to the paddocks. A covered paddock area is lined with hundreds of spectators and hopeful buyers and agents, all trying to get a good look at this seasons young crop for their enthustiastic clients. Which of the group could be the next Kentucky Derby or Triple Crown Winner?
My personal favorite of the group of the afternoon was Hip number 183. He was a big black bay colt by Not this Time out of a Dos Vinos mare consigned by Hartley/Derenzo Thoroughbreds LLC. This tall dark handsome monster of man muscle sold for $850,000.
While you'll get plenty of spritely young horses with the occasional leaping baby dragon, it always amazes me how well the young horses tolerate such an electric atmosphere.
If you ever find yourself free to attend one of these sales, I highly recommend it. You can grab a bite to eat, watch some beautiful horses, and maybe... if you're brave, even buy your own piece of racing history. Be courteous and respectful and also very aware of where you are when you raise your hand to wave at your friend in the stands >_< Lol.
Find out more about the Ocala Breeder Sales, sales dates, catalogs, etc. at www.obssales.com
PC: Norine English