Goffs, Arqana Keeping Close Eye on Irish Racing

Goffs and Arqana have said they are keeping a close eye on developments as the Irish racing and bloodstock industries await clarity on the government's roadmap out of lockdown.

Plans announced by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last week call for sporting activities to resume behind closed doors in the third phase on June 29, much later than it was hoped racing in Ireland could return in a reduced capacity.

The potential delay has caused widespread consternation among the thoroughbred sector over the economic effect of a prolonged loss of action, although there is hope that a compromise or exception might be made if racing is viewed as an industry rather than a sport in Ireland.

Goffs UK and Arqana last month took the decision to amalgamate their breeze-up sales and hold a fixture at Goffs in Ireland, where most breeze-up lots are based, June 29 and 30 with the breezes to be held several days earlier.

"The teams at Goffs and Arqana continue to work towards their combined breeze-up sales with the last week in June remaining the most likely date," a joint statement said. "The Irish Government's lockdown roadmap, which was issued on Friday, provided some clarity on what may be possible while the UK's position is likely to become clearer on Thursday.

"After that, plans for all European breeze-up sales will be discussed with Tattersalls to ensure, where possible, dates are harmonized leading to a coordinated approach to the breeze-up sales calendar in everyone's best interests.

"The resumption of racing in the UK, Ireland, and France is also seen as pivotal to holding viable sales so the auction houses are preparing for more than one outcome to the various decisions expected in the coming days."

Arqana executive director Freddy Powell and Goffs UK managing director Tim Kent said in the joint statement that no avenues were being ruled out in their pursuit of holding a successful breeze-up sale.

"We are adapting all the time and continuing to explore all options to ensure we provide the best market place possible," the statement said. "This is an evolving situation but we will be ready with a variety of options to inform potential purchasers, whether or not they are able to attend the breeze and/or the sale itself.

"For now, our preferred option remains selling at Goffs' Kildare Paddocks in the week of June 29 following a breeze at Naas some days before the sale, but we do not rule out any alternative that may suit better in due course."

An online platform will be in place to support the sale and allow bidders to participate via telephone and remotely, while the prospect of an online breeze, or one with very limited attendance, has resulted in accelerated preparations to provide as much information as is required for absent buyers.

This is likely to feature video footage and reports with detailed conformation and veterinary information alongside more analysis of the breeze, following feedback from the Federation of Bloodstock Agents.

"All will depend on how the situation develops in the coming weeks, but nothing is being ruled in or out for the time being," the release said. "If attendance is limited a list of acknowledged buyers will be formulated so that notes and reports by those on the ground can be circulated to absent potential purchasers while Goffs may also be able to provide on-site accommodation for visitors."

Goffs group chief executive Henry Beeby and Arqana president Eric Hoyeau said that everything possible will be done to deliver the sales.

"Our teams are working tirelessly to adapt and react as we plan for this joint venture," they said. "The Goffs site is the best appointed for the social distancing that will inevitably be required if we can have people at Kildare Paddocks. Naturally we will follow any government directives to the letter and have provisional plans in place to control the numbers in every area inside and outdoors.

"While we have combined our sales, vendors and purchasers should rest assured that discussions with Tattersalls will deliver a workable schedule outcome for all."