Dates, Format Change for Goffs Sales as Lockdown Starts
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Photo: Courtesy of Goffs/Peter Mooney
A horse parades in the ring at the 2020 Goffs February Sale
Goffs has revealed changes to its Doncaster January and Goffs February sales as a result of the lockdown measures imposed by the British and Irish governments due to COVID-19.
The Goffs February Sale will be held in two parts, with the breeding stock, older horses and 2-year-olds selling in an online sale Feb. 9-10, while the weanling section has been rescheduled for March 2 as a physical sale at Kildare Paddocks.
The Doncaster January Sale, which will feature National Hunt mares, horses in training, and point-to-pointers, will also be divided in two parts. The former two categories will be offered online Jan. 26, while the National Hunt weanlings and pointers will be sold at Doncaster Feb. 17.
Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby said: "Under the current lockdown measures in both Ireland and the UK, we do not feel it is prudent to hold a physical sale in this early part of the year and we have therefore selected alternative options that we believe will maximise the potential for vendors and buyers in all sectors.
"Where we feel it may be possible to hold an onsite sale and the category allows, these sales have been rescheduled to later dates and we will communicate any additional updates pending further government advice.
"For breeding stock, particularly in-foal mares, the customer friendly Goffs Online platform, which proved a game changer throughout 2020, will facilitate their sales and international participation on the original dates. Feedback from the autumn was very positive and clearly demonstrated that the concept works very well for these categories."
Beeby added: "Like everyone, we hope and pray that 2021 sees an end to COVID as vaccinations are rolled out. However, until such a time, we wish to reassure vendors and buyers that Goffs will continue to review our sales dates on an ongoing basis in consultation with our clients, industry bodies and other sales companies.
"As such we have again liaised with closely with Tattersalls and Arqana to ensure that any changes to our sales are in congruence with their plans.
"That consultation and planning should allow us to best serve the industry and carry out every sale this year as successfully as circumstances allow."