Goffs and Arqana keep close eye on Irish racing resumption uncertainty

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, on June 29 and 30 with the breezes to be held several days earlier.

The companies said in a statement: "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.

"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 harmonised leading to a co-ordinated 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."

Tim Kent: Goffs UK managing director not ruling out any avenuesCredit: Sarah Farnsworth

Arqana executive director Freddy Powell and Goffs UK managing director Tim Kent said in a 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", they commented.

"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.

Eric Hoyeau: Arqana president and his team working tirelesslyCredit: Patrick McCann

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," said the press release from Goffs and Arqana.

"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."

Read our Life in Lockdown Q&As with industry figures

Simon Sweeting: 'Rightly or wrongly I'm having all my mares covered'

Richard Kent: 'Stud fees and sales house charges will have to come down'

Philippa Mains: 'The industry is a family and we help each other out'

Claire Goodwillie: 'People have realised if you're not online you're invisible'

Tina Rau: 'I'm enjoying post-dinner quarantinis with friends over video call'

Daniel Creighton: 'The market will recover – the only question is when'

Ed Player: 'We're happy to move with the times and embrace online trading'

Patrick Sells: 'Chasemore Farm is effectively operating in a bubble'

Chad Schumer: 'Racing in the US being cancelled is the biggest frustration'

Tom Blain: 'Trade will be down but all we can do is roll with the punches'

Ted Voute: 'We'll need to strengthen the way we showcase young stock'

Simon Kerins: 'We'll embrace any format that will help get horses sold'

Barry Lynch: 'The industry has often bounced back as quickly as it dipped'

Tim Lane: 'Working with horses does you the world of good in these times'

Jerry Horan: 'My sister butchered my haircut. I think it was payback'

Violet Hesketh and Mimi Wadham: 'Social distancing isn't hard - just lonely!'

Henry Beeby: 'Nick Nugent and I have entered a beard growing competition'

Charles O'Neill: 'ITM will be ready to go when the markets open up again'

Freddy Powell: 'We're improving our online sale platform in case it's needed'

Bumble Mitchell: 'Online sales could be tricky for outlying studs like mine'

David Stack: 'I had to give a garda a lesson about the birds and the bees'

Colm Sharkey: 'I've been torturing myself trying to sort out my golf swing'

Rachael Gowland: 'I didn't realise how much I loved racing until I couldn't go'

Sam Hoskins: 'I've been listening to endless Cold War podcasts on my tractor'

Niamh Spiller: 'Video calls are very important to keep everyone motivated'

Jamie Lloyd: 'Staff have had all their own gear labelled, even wheelbarrows'

Micheál Orlandi: 'The stallions are flying and that gives me great hope'

Richard Venn: 'The French are in a good position to get back racing sooner'

Tim Kent: 'It's difficult to plan when we don't know when racing will resume'

Russell Ferris: 'Weatherbys had contingency plans that we activated at once'

Grant and Tom Pritchard-Gordon: 'Inglis Easter has kept us busy since January'

Peter Hockenhull: 'The social side of meeting and chatting to breeders is gone'

Polly Bonnor: 'We've fulfilled every feed order, including all our exports'

Richard Lancaster: 'We're fortunate that some Shadwell staff live on site'