Goffs has elected to reschedule three of its upcoming sales following the Irish government’s decision on Monday to move the country into tighter lockdown measures from midnight on Wednesday.
The new restrictions mean Goffs is not legally permitted to hold auctions at Kildare Paddocks from Wednesday to December 2 and as a result, alternatives have been arranged following consultation with both the ITBA and Tattersalls to ensure dates are in the interest of all involved.
Keeping its original slot on November 5 is the Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale but it will now be held as a live online auction.
The changes to the dates are:
Autumn Yearling Sale (originally scheduled for November 4-5): January 12-13, 2021
Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale (remains on November 5):
To be held as live online auction
November Foal Sale (originally scheduled November 16-18):
December 18-20
November Breeding Stock Sale (originally scheduled for November 19): December 21
December National Hunt Sale: Remains on December 9-10
Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said: “Like much of the rest of the country, we did not anticipate a move straight to Level 5 but we fully respect the decision and objectives of the government and understand that, in this timeframe, it would not be responsible to attempt to hold a sale.
“Therefore, in consultation this morning with the ITBA and Tattersalls, we reviewed every sale and selected what we believe is the best possible alternative to maximise the success for each category.
“Rescheduling the market-leading Goff November Sale to December will allow sufficient time for buyers and vendors to quarantine for two weeks following the Tattersalls December Sales. Our December National Hunt Sale falls after the current six-week lockdown period and therefore remains on its original scheduled dates.
“Goffs Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale also remains on its original date, November 5, but will be a fully online sale with a live auctioneer and bidding via Goffs online and by phone.
“The Autumn Yearling Sale will be pushed back to January 2021. This sale is heavily reliant on overseas investment and it is hoped that a number of countries will have been added to the Irish government’s Green List for travel by that stage, allowing key overseas buyers to attend.”
