Mark Casse Named Sixth Chairman of Ocala Breeders' Sales, Succeeds Vanlangendonck

Mark E. Casse, a dual Hall of Fame trainer with more than 4,100 wins and career earnings exceeding $274 million, has been named the sixth chairman of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company (OBS), succeeding Francis Vanlangendonck, who is stepping down after 35 years on the OBS board. The change brings a high-profile racing figure into the leadership of one of Florida’s most important auction companies and underscores the enduring family and industry ties that shape the Ocala market.

The appointment, announced Feb. 10, 2026, elevates Casse from secretary-treasurer, a role he held in 2022, to chairman. Mark Casse has served on the OBS board since 2001 and operates Casse Racing with his wife, Tina, from their base in Ocala. His father, Norman E. Casse, was a founding member of OBS and served as chairman for more than 20 years, creating a multigenerational link between one of North America’s leading trainers and the sales floor that funnels equine talent into the sport.

Francis Vanlangendonck steps down after a long tenure and having served as chairman since 2022. OBS extended deep gratitude to Vanlangendonck and Treasurer Nick de Meric, who is also stepping down from the board, for their leadership and significant contributions to the success of OBS. The chairmanship lineage at OBS now reads back from Mark E. Casse to Vanlangendonck, Mike O’Farrell, Norman E. Casse, Harry T. Mangurian Jr., and founding chairman George Onett, reflecting decades of continuity in Ocala’s breeding and sales economy.

The new officer slate keeps experienced hands in key roles. Dr. Barry Eisaman will continue as vice president; Eisaman joined the board in 1996 and previously served as OBS secretary-treasurer from 2010 to 2021 and operates Eisaman Equine with his wife, Shari. David O’Farrell will serve as secretary; O’Farrell was elected to the board in 2022, chairs the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association board of trustees, is a steward at The Jockey Club, and is a member of Breeders’ Cup Ltd. James L. (Jimbo) Gladwell IV was elected treasurer; Gladwell joined the board in 2021, operates Top Line Sales with his wife Torie, and Top Line Sales graduates include Grade 1 winners Princess Noor, Arabian Knight, Saudi Crown, and Muth.

Two new board members join OBS: Tristan de Meric of de Meric Sales and William B. Russell, DVM, of Peterson Smith Equine Hospital. Remaining board members include Tom Ventura, Jonathan I Green (DJ Stables), John Penn (Pennston Farm), Bryan Rice (Woodside Ranch), George Russell (Rustlewood Farm), Paul Sharp, and Eddie Woods.

For racing and breeding stakeholders, Casse’s chairmanship blends commercial acumen with deep technical knowledge of training and bloodstock. His role could shape buyer confidence, consignor strategy, and the two-year-olds in training sale market that helped put Ocala on the map. Historic threads also run through the announcement: Joe O’Farrell’s early promotion of Florida breeding and the two-year-olds in training sale concept and Ocala Stud’s 70-year presence remind the industry that leadership changes at OBS ripple from the sales pavilion to the racetrack and to the local economy. Observers will be watching how Mark Casse leverages his training credibility and family legacy to steward OBS through the next chapter of Florida racing and sales.