The Ocala Breeders' Sales company (OBS) will launch their new digital platform, OBSOnline, with a new auction for horses who failed to meet their reserve or were withdrawn from the 2024 October Yearling sale due to the threat of Hurricane Milton, the company announced via presser Friday.
Set to begin Oct. 24 and closing Oct. 30, entries for the timed online auction will close Oct. 18 and those who choose to participate will not have to pay any entry fee. There will also be reduced commissions with consignors being given the option of bringing their yearlings to OBS for inspection Monday, Oct. 28.
“We felt providing this opportunity to the horses that were either bought back or scratched from our yearling sale was important,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “I think it is obvious that Hurricane Milton impacted the travel of buyers to the sale. By placing these horses in the online sale format, it will give buyers a second chance.”
“We are appreciative of the collaborative effort of the consignors, buyers, staff, board members and auction team to be able to react to the pending storm and allow us to conduct the sale a day earlier than originally planned. This was not an easy decision or a simple task to implement, so it was important for everybody to pull together to make it happen.”
Entry forms for the auction can be found here or in hard copy at the OBS office.
In addition to the October debut, OBSOnline will also hold timed auctions in December and January, the former being open to all horses while the latter will be limited to 2-year-olds and horses of racing age. The January 2025 online sale will open for bidding during the 2025 OBS Winter Mixed sale live auction, which will run Jan. 28-29, and will close Jan. 30.
Both the OBSOnline December and January sales will be an optional under tack show. Additional information, including deadlines, requirements, and start/closing dates for the respective auctions, is available here.
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