Day 1 of the Ocala October Sale suffered a 17% decline in average but there were mitigating factors for the downturn.

The average of $12,976 was offset by a 9% rise in the median.  Last year’s figures were boosted by 20 lots from the Westbury Stables dispersal that realised $900,000.

Great Venue topped this year’s consignor preferred session in Florida at $95,000.  The unraced rising four year-old filly was purchased by Karen and George Russell of Rustlewood Farm.

Great Venue (Unbridled’s Song) is in foal to leading freshman sire Scat Daddy.  She is a half sister to G2 winner Too Much Bling (Rubiano) and three other stakes winners.  The Russells founded their Florida farm in 1987 and are taking advantage of the soft market to improve their broodmare band.

A Pomeroy – Clever Me (Not For Love) colt was the top-price foal at $48,000.  He was purchased by Carrie Brogden of Machmer Hall.  “I have bought Flat Out, Currency Swap, and Black Seventeen out of this sale,” Brogden said.  “It’s been very good to me.”

Flat Out won the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on October 1, Currency Swap captured this year’s G1 Hopeful Stakes and Black Seventeen was a G1 winner of the 2008 Vosburgh Stakes.