Following last week’s combined Tattersalls Ascot and Craven auctions, the delayed European breeze-up season continues at Doncaster today with the Goffs UK and Arqana Breeze-Up Sales.
The two sale houses announced in April that they were combining in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic with the sale originally due to take place in Ireland. After discussions, the decision was made to stage the auction in Doncaster to simplify logistics.
A total of 102 two-year-olds will go under the hammer for the Goffs UK sale, beginning at 10am, and will be followed by 82 juveniles from the Arqana catalogue being offered for sale in the Doncaster ring.
Berlin Tango sold to Hong Kong
Last month’s Group 3 Classical Trial winner Berlin Tango has been sold and will continue his racing career in Hong Kong.
George Strawbridge’s homebred got the better of Royal Ascot winner and Derby hopeful Pyledriver in the all-weather contest at Kempton. He was last seen finishing third behind Russian Emperor and First Receiver in the Hampton Court Stakes at Ascot.
Alastair Donald who was instrumental in the deal told Racing Post Bloodstock: “He’s got the ideal profile for Hong Kong as he’s got a mile and a quarter and fast ground form and has been really progressive for Andrew Balding.
“His form is stacking up well and hopefully he will be an ideal Hong Kong Derby type. He’s going to be going to Tony Cruz for a client of ours.
“He won’t run again here and has already been gelded. He’s currently chilling out and getting over his exertions, hopefully to ship out to Hong Kong in mid-August.”
Revised prize fund, refunds and conditions for Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes
The British Horseracing Authority announced on Tuesday that a number of changes have been made to this year’s running of the Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes following discussions with York racecourse and the Horsemen’s Group.
To be run on August 20 during the track’s Ebor Festival, the race will be run for a reduced prize fund of £180,000. The third and fourth stages of the race are now not payable and additionally, a partial refund will be made to owners of the first (£120) and second (£240) stage entrants.
The rest of the conditions of the race remain the same with the next scratching deadline on July 7.
William Derby, Clerk of the Course at York, said: “In what continues to be an extraordinary season, we have sought a collaborative approach to find an equitable solution.
“We wanted to retain the status and relative high value of this race without appearing out of step with the reality of the Covid-19 crisis and resultant funding challenges for all.
“We feel this is a fair solution to ensure the race is run with six-figure prize-money and our thanks go to the Horsemen, the team at the BHA, as well as our sponsor, Goffs UK, for their support.”
Goffs UK’s Managing Director Tim Kent added: “The Premier Yearling Sale Stakes has become established in the racing calendar and is used by many high-class horses as a springboard to Group success later in the year.
“As such, we were very keen to protect the race during this strange year and we are delighted that we’ve managed to work with York Racecourse to stage the race on the traditional date which is just two weeks prior to our Premier Yearling Sale.”
