Goffs on track to host the first sale in Ireland since lockdown

Goffs have unveiled a series of measures in an online Q&A on its website in an effort to provide clarity ahead of the Land Rover Sale on August 12-13, with the two-day auction set to be the first held in Ireland since lockdown.

Social distancing will be enforced in the large outdoor site and spacious indoor facility at Kildare Paddocks, while certain indoor areas will be strictly controlled to keep people two metres apart.

In consultation with Horse Racing Ireland and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Goffs and Tattersalls Ireland have drawn up detailed protocols to ensure a safe and compliant environment in which to conduct sales in Ireland, starting with the Land Rover Sale.

Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby said: "A month or so ago, everybody was very worried about all sales, but we've been able to safely deliver a sale that's compliant with government directives in Doncaster, and we've seen them happen in Newmarket and Arqana.

"We're planning to do the same in Ireland and we've done a lot to get to this stage. We're working in an ever-changing environment and we're being cautious and compliant. We'll just make sure we do whatever needs to be done, as far as we can do it."

A specific set of protocols and measures have been drawn up to ensure that a limited number of overseas buyers can safely attend the Land Rover Sale, in accordance with Irish government guidance.

All attendees must complete a medical questionnaire in advance of the auction and, as with other sales held recently in Britain and France, attendance will be restricted to those directly involved in the sale.

Other measures put in place include temperature checks and a one-way system throughout the main building and stables. Face masks will also have to be worn at all times when indoors except when availing of refreshments.

The revised dates of the Land Rover Sale ensures a two-week gap after the Goffs UK Summer Sale in Doncaster, to allow vendors sufficient time to quarantine on their return to Ireland.

The Summer Sale takes place from Monday and includes 64 supplementary stores from the Goffs and Tattersalls Ireland summer store sales.

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