Smart Strike colt tops record OBS select session

Hip No. 220, a chestnut colt by Smart Strike, sold for $300,000 to Ken McPeek,

agent, on Monday to top the Ocala Breeders' Sale's Company's Selected Sale of

Yearlings at the OBS Sales Complex in Ocala, Florida, on a day that set records

for both gross and average prices. Consigned by Martin

Stables South, the February 19 Florida-bred is out of the Storm Bird mare Cent Nouvelles, and hails from the same female family as 1988 Irish

co-champion miler Prince

of Birds and 1989 Alcibiades S. (G2) heroine and Arlington-Washington Lassie S.

(G1) runner-up Special Happening (Relaunch).

TYB Stable went to $235,000 to purchase Hip 269, a bay filly by Whywhywhy.

Consigned by On Course Sales, agent, the March 3 youngster is out of First Class

Act (Ghazi). The Kentucky-bred's third dam, Mobility (First Landing), produced

multiple Grade 3 victor Land of Believe. The filly sold for $75,000

earlier this year at the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale.

Gross and average prices saw double-digit percentage increases on Monday,

producing record numbers in both categories.

The gross improved by 13.7 percent from last year's comparative session, from

$9,171,500 to a record $10,427,500, while the average increased 17.6 percent, from $50,393 to

a new high of $59,247. In addition, the median rose 12.5 percent, from $40,000

to $45,000, tying a record established in 2004.

For complete results, visit www.obssales.com.

The first of four OBS Open sessions begins Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.

(EDT).