An Eddie Woods-consigned colt by Three Chimneys Farm's Gun Runner sold for an Ocala Breeders' Sales record when the hammer dropped at $3 million at the closing session of the OBS March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale March 13. The previous sale record was $2.45 million for the Tiznow colt Conquistador, established in 2017 at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.
Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni signed the ticket on the colt, consigned as Hip 654, on behalf of Zedan Racing. The gray or roan colt breezed the co-fastest eighth mile of the sale, recording a furlong in :09 3/5 during the under tack show.
Hip 654, bred in Kentucky by PTK, was purchased by St. Clair Stables for $200,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is the first foal out of the Liam's Map mare Tynan, a half-sister to graded stakes winners Pappacap (also by Gun Runner) and Boppy O.
"Gun Runner's a tremendous stallion," Lanni said. "He worked really good, he galloped out good, and he did everything you want one to do. We're excited about him. He's a nice horse and we're here to find nice horses.
"This is what the boss wanted, that's what Amr (Zedan) wanted. He's pretty excited."
Zedan Racing also purchased last year's sale topper, Nooni, for $1.8 million. The daughter of Win Win Win won the Sorrento Stakes (G3) and was second in the Oak Leaf Stakes (G2) at 2.
Woods said he was surprised at the $3 million price for Hip 654.
"No, $3 million I couldn't see coming," said Woods. "Baffert called me about the horse (Hip 654) a little while before he came up in the ring. And he said, 'honestly how much do you think he'll bring?' I said $2 million. He says 'oh God, my guy can't do that.' And then he said, 'well, that's what happens when you bring a Rolls Royce to a scrap yard. Everyone wants to ride.'
"He's a special horse. That's what it takes to get that thing done."
Although the Gun Runner colt's career is just starting to take shape, Woods announced he will be retiring. A longtime fixture in the 2-year-old sales arena, selling multiple champions in his 30-plus year career, Woods' last consignment will come next month at the OBS Spring sale. When asked what it's like to go out on top with a record-breaking horse, he was overcome with emotion.
"It's like winning the Olympics," Woods said. "Yeah, oh my God, the only way to go out is on top.
"Thirty-one years in April we started selling here. That's a good time. We've done well here, we've made a lot of money here, lost a lot of money here. It's just the way it is."
