At the OBS March 2-year-olds in training sale, consignor Eddie Woods achieved a monumental milestone by selling a colt for a record-breaking $3 million. This sale not only solidified Woods's legacy but also highlighted the exceptional quality of horses available at the auction. The gray or roan colt, sired by Gun Runner, captured the attention of buyers with his impressive performance during the under-tack show. His sale price surpassed the previous record set in 2017 and marked one of four horses to reach seven figures on the final day. Overall, the auction saw significant gains in gross and average compared to the previous year.
The Remarkable Journey of a Record-Breaking Colt
In the heart of the horse racing world, on a crisp spring morning, Eddie Woods stood in the bustling back ring at the OBS grounds, emotions swelling within him. After more than three decades as a familiar face in Ocala, Woods was preparing for what would be one of his last major sales under his banner. On this particular Thursday, Hip 654, a striking gray or roan colt by Gun Runner, became the centerpiece of history when he sold for an unprecedented $3 million to Donato Lanni, representing Zedan Racing. The colt, whose mother Tynan is a half-sister to graded stakes winners Pappacap and Boppy O, had already made waves during the under-tack show by tying for the fastest time over an eighth-mile distance.
As bidding opened at $200,000, the excitement in the air grew palpable. With each subsequent bid, the young colt shattered records until finally securing the highest price ever paid at an OBS auction. Woods, visibly moved, likened the moment to winning an Olympic gold medal, reflecting on his journey through highs and lows over 31 years in the business. For Woods, this achievement symbolized both closure and triumph as he approaches his final consignment at the upcoming April sale.
Beyond the headline-grabbing sale of the Gun Runner colt, other notable transactions included a bay filly by Maxfield fetching $1.25 million and a Quality Road filly reaching $1.05 million. These results underscored the strong demand for top-tier racehorses and reinforced the reputation of the OBS March sale as a premier event for discovering future champions.
OBS director of sales Tod Wojciechowski praised the overall success of the auction, crediting the high-quality horses for driving up prices. He expressed gratitude toward Woods for his contributions to the growth of the 2-year-old sales over the years, noting that witnessing such a fitting farewell brought immense satisfaction to all involved.
Reflections from the Trackside
From a journalist's perspective, the sale of the Gun Runner colt serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring allure of horse racing. It exemplifies how passion, dedication, and vision can culminate in extraordinary achievements. Eddie Woods’s career encapsulates these qualities, making his swan song at the OBS April sale eagerly anticipated. For aspiring breeders and consignors, this event underscores the importance of identifying and nurturing talent early while fostering long-term relationships within the industry. As the echoes of applause fade, the legacy of this remarkable sale will undoubtedly inspire generations to come.