$1.95M Epicenter colt tops OBS Spring Sale day 1
A bay son of Epicenter brought a final bid of $1.95 million from agent Justin Casse and Ben McElroy of Amo Racing on Tuesday, topping the opening session of the four-day OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training at Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.
Cataloged as Hip 289 in Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables consignment, the Epicenter colt breezed in 9.8 seconds during the under-tack show – a benchmark time made all the more impressive by the ease with which the youngster completed his solo showcase. Casse, who said the colt was purchased on behalf of Amo Racing and partners, repeatedly stretched during a protracted bidding war to secure the colt by the first-crop Ashford Stud stallion.
Out of the winning Animal Kingdom mare Spanx Legacy, a full sister to graded stakes-placed winner Delta's Kingdom, the colt's time and manner of going made him the most sought-after offering during the first day of the sale.
"His performance was exceptional. I would say that we'll look back through the years of being here and you'd say 'Remember that Epicenter when he breezed?'. It was that kind of a move," Casse said. "I have great respect for Ciaran Dunne and he has been very fond of this horse since January when he was first on his farm. He's just beautiful."
The price ranks as the fourth-highest in the history of the OBS April Sale and the highest since Collmus brought $2.2 million during the 2023 edition.
"I didn't know what to expect for ones like that," Casse said. "I'm happy for OBS. It's a family connection. My dad (Norman Casse) started the place. All that we've been able to accomplish here, it's really exciting. I'm very proud for the sales company to get a horse of that caliber and fetch a price like that."
The Epicenter colt stood as the lone seven-figure horse on Tuesday, backstopping the sale to gains in gross, average and median compared to 2025. The overall gross of $24,578,000 from 159 head sold rose from the $20,456,000 generated by 165 head sold a year ago. The average jumped from $123,976 in 2025 to $154,579 this year, and the median increased from $60,000 to $80,000.
A total of 47 horses failed to meet their reserve. The RNA rate before post-sales on Tuesday stood at 22.8% compared to 17.1% after post-sales in 2025.
Prior to the Epicenter colt stealing the show, the Spendthrift Farm team made its presence felt in an attempt to add to the operation's run of success inside the Ocala pavilion.
Having purchased Grade 1 winner and leading Kentucky Derby contender Further Ado at last year's edition of the OBS Spring Sale, Spendthrift owner Eric Gustavson and general manager Ned Toffey returned to shop the scene that has served as ground zero for a plethora of Spendthrift highlights. They signed the ticket for Hip 74, a dark bay or brown filly by the farm's young sire Omaha Beach who brought the day's second-highest price at $900,000.
Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, the Omaha Beach filly turned heads when she worked a quarter-mile in 20.8 seconds during the under-tack show April 6, the fastest time at the distance on the day. She is out of the More Than Ready mare Ready for Charm, a half sister to stakes winners Praetereo and OBS April graduate Simply Spiteful. The filly's granddam Deb's Charm also placed in graded stakes and is a daughter of Silver Charm, inductee of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and OBS April graduate.
"She's just a really nice filly. We've had a lot of luck with Tom and she did things the right way," Toffey said after signing the ticket. "Really nothing not to like about her.
"I can't say she looks like (Spendthrift's Grade 1 winner) Kopion but I did keep thinking about Kopion when we were looking at her. I think she has more of that More Than Ready hind leg on her but she's a big, impressive filly. The way she breezed, she did it pretty effortlessly. She's got a good mind on her and just a big, strong classy filly."
The filly's already impressive page gained further strength in recent weeks, as Ready for Charm is also a half sister to the mare Honestly Deb, dam of Ashland Stakes (G1) winner and leading Kentucky Oaks (G1) contender Percy's Bar.
"We've had our run ins with Percy's Bar," Toffey laughed. "But that is a wonderful pedigree. She'll be a nice addition to the broodmare band no matter what she does."
Spendthrift also helped get the sale off to a fast start, partnering with Josh Isner's Delta Squad Racing to land Hip 11, a bay colt by Curlin, for $850,000. Consigned by Top Line Sales, the colt breezed in 10.2 seconds during the under-tack show and is out of the Violence mare Peace Corps, a half sister to Grade 1 winner and graded producer Her Smile.
"Spendthrift liked him individually and then we liked him, so we decided to partner up," said Liz Crow of BSW/Crow Bloodstock, who signed the ticket on behalf of the pairing. "(Isner) is kind of a newer owner but he's excited about the game.
"He wants two-turn dirt colts, and this horse obviously had that profile and pedigree. Spendthrift has the (colt's) half brother, Tapit's Legacy, and they like him quite a bit. I thought his breeze was very good, he moved well and galloped out well. We just thought he had the profile of that two-turn dirt colt that everyone is looking for."
The day's fourth-highest price belonged to Hip 133, a dark bay or brown colt by Honor A. P. who went to Three Amigos for $725,000. Consigned by Bryan Ford Training Stable, the colt breezed in 9.8 seconds and is out of the Nyquist mare Seeking Mo Jewel, a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Deterministic.
Other top prices during the session:
Hip 261, a gray or roan colt by Uncle Mo, sold for $650,000 to Deuce Greathouse, agent for 30 A Thoroughbreds. Consigned by Randy Miles, the colt – from the female family of champion Rags to Riches – breezed in 9.8 seconds and is out of winning, stakes-placed Tapit mare Sweet as Pie.
Hip 75, a dark bay or brown filly by OBS graduate Yaupon, sold for $625,000 to White House Stables. Consigned by Julie Davies, the filly worked in 9.8 seconds during the under-tack show. She is out of the winning More Than Ready mare Ready to Unleash and is a half sister to multiple stakes winner and graded stakes-placed Joe Shiesty.
Hip 202, a bay ridgling by Maxfield, sold to Pedro Lanz, agent for FMQ Stables, for $600,000. Consigned by Kinsman Farm, the ridgling worked in 10.2 seconds and is out of the Broken Vow mare Spoken Not Broken, a half sister to stakes winners Stormy Novel and Bridgehampton.
The OBS April Sale continues Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. EDT with Hips 307-610 slated to sell. Full results can be found at obssales.com.