Horse industry galloping back

Ocala Breeders’ Sales is first event since lockdown

OCALA — The horse industry in Marion County is gearing up for its return after lockdowns brought on by the coronavirus pandemic caused events to be canceled en masse.

The first back is Ocala Breeders’ Sales, which begins its four-day sale of 2-year-old thoroughbreds today.

The sale lists more than 1,300 horses for sale, about the same number that the canceled April sale usually draws. Horses started official workouts ahead of the sale a week earlier at the Ocala facility about 80 miles northwest of Orlando.

For some, it’s a make or break sale.

“It’s turned into our most important sale. People’s livelihoods are on the line here. There are people in town that have not sold a horse at public auction all year,” said Eddie Woods, a longtime Ocala-based consignor.

The highly contagious new coronavirus, which causes a disease called COVID-19, hit at a crucial time in the thoroughbred industry. Spring is when sales, breeding and foaling are at their peak.

The pandemic forced the cancellation of auctions, and live racing, including the postponement of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, two of the three jewels of the Triple Crown.

The Belmont Stakes was scheduled to run on time on June 6 at Belmont Park. The Derby will run on Sept. 5 and the Preakness on Oct. 3.

Without racing, there was no incentive for owners to buy horses. But racing is also making a comeback around the country, with performances run without crowds. Despite the lack of crowds, off-track wagering is brisk.

Woods believes top-tier horses will continue to sell well, while those below that tier will keep struggling.

“We’ll keep the expectations high for the time being,” he said, adding that he expects the sale will draw plenty of buyers.

OBS quickly follows up with another 2-year-old sale in July. The sales company went forward with its March sale earlier this year, just as the pandemic was starting to force closures and cancellations around the country.

At the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park, shows are resuming after the facility closed in midApril.

While shows resume at the 500-acre facility, the events will remain closed to the general public, for the time being, said Jason Reynolds, horse park executive director.

“We’re trying to limit the amount of spectators. We just want to make sure we take it slow and do it correctly,” Reynolds said. “We will only hold one show per weekend to make sure we provide people with the proper distance.”

He said many of the shows that canceled are trying to reschedule, but with most weekends already booked before the pandemic, space is hard to find. Sanctioning bodies for some of the shows also must approve dates, so they don’t overlap other events.

“It’s a struggle, but at least we are holding events again. I know people couldn’t wait to get back out there,” Reynolds said.

In the meantime, the World Equestrian Center has announced that it will move several competitions held at its Ohio facility in January to an Ocala facility it is building.

When completed, the ambitious WEC project will boast a world-class equestrian center featuring climate-controlled competition arenas.

The facility announced it will hold a 12-week show series starting the first month of the year. The series will include the WEC Premier championships featuring the Premier Equitation Cup and two Hunter Classic Premier Cup classes.

Prizes include a new car for each class winner. The Equitation Cup also features a $100,000 trainer bonus.