Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company sends four horses to Kentucky Derby

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Four horses competing in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby were sold through the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company auction ring, highlighting the area’s connection to one of the most watched races in the country.

The horses — Further Ado, The Puma, Intrepido and So Happy — all have ties to the Marion County area.

“This is an exciting time of year — even people who aren’t into horse racing watch the Kentucky Derby,” said Tom Ventura, OBS president. “We’re an auction house, and four of the horses in this year’s Derby were sold right through this ring a year ago.”

Further Ado was sold at OBS last year for $500,000 and will be one of the favorites in Saturday’s race.

Ventura said the connection goes beyond the auction block, with many horses training in Marion County before heading to the track.

“Many of them spent a lot of time here because of the weather we have in the winter the horses come down here just like baseball spring training here course has got a lot of an early training here so these horses are all trained to do their preliminary training here,” Ventura said.

At OBS, young thoroughbreds are auctioned to top trainers and owners from around the world.

An OBS-sold horse last won the Kentucky Derby in 2012.

In April alone, more than $114 million was generated in sales at OBS.

The World Equestrian Center is hosting a free Kentucky Derby watch party Saturday.

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