'We hope to preserve all the ingredients from Goresbridge and build on them'

The Tattersalls Ireland sales director tells us about the new-look breeze-up

Simon Kerins: 'Fairyhouse racecourse have been accommodating and obliging'Credit: Caroline Norris

Tattersalls Ireland and Goresbridge Horse Sales last year reached an agreement to stage the Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale, the only auction of its kind in Ireland in recent years, as a joint-venture.

This year's sale, which will take place on May 23 and 24, has been switched to Tattersalls Ireland with the breeze taking place at Fairyhouse racecourse, opposite to the sales complex.

We spoke to Tattersalls Ireland sales director Simon Kerins about the new-look event.

What feedback did you receive about the breeze-up switching from Goresbridge to Fairyhouse?

We received very positive feedback. A number of vendors walked the track at Fairyhouse before Christmas and again afterwards, and were most impressed with the breeze ground and the facilities at both the track and at Tattersalls Ireland.

The venue lends itself to the ideal breeze set-up. With Tattersalls Ireland being located adjacent to Fairyhouse Racecourse, it makes the logistics for vendors ideal and with its close proximity to Dublin Airport it gives purchasers an easy task of conducting their business.

Of course, Goresbridge brought a uniqueness to clients that is hard to replicate, but the team here are adamant that we will emulate some of the Goresbridge traditions.

Goresbridge built the breeze-up into a major event in the calendar. What ingredients for that success will you be preserving?

We hope to preserve and replicate all the ingredients from Goresbridge and if possible build on them, with a Tattersalls Ireland feel to it.

Goresbridge grew this sale and established it by attracting a wide range of clients, both domestic and overseas. We want to build on these relationships and continue to attract these clients by providing them with the best facilities and customer service that Tattersalls Ireland has become synonymous with.

And what's changing?

Well, the location for one. The breeze is at Fairyhouse racecourse on May 23 with the sale at Tattersalls Ireland the day after.

The team at Goresbridge are still very much involved as they have been from day one. The venue is the obvious change but the Goresbridge team have been involved in the selection process, the lotting and cataloguing process and will be on hand throughout the whole sales process to ensure the core values of the sale remain.

Can you tell us about how the breeze will be conducted at Fairyhouse?

The breeze will be at Fairyhouse racecourse, who have been extremely accommodating and obliging. It will be on the outer part of the main track, just back from the viewing rail in front of the grandstand and the finishing line being the finishing post.

There will be hospitality on offer at the track during the breeze and of course a strong offering at Tattersalls Ireland.

How have horses been selected for this year's sale – by Tattersalls Ireland or Goresbridge or both?

The original Goresbridge inspection team, who have become familiar to vendors over the years, conducted the inspection process this year.

Will Goresbridge staff be on the auctioneers' rostrum?

The plan is to use the existing team of Tattersalls Ireland auctioneers.

Did you have vendors' concerns about enlarged catalogue sizes in mind when you compiled this year's catalogue?

The breeze-up catalogue has been condensed in size from 247 in 2018 to 211 this year. We have considered the challenges 2018 posed for breeze-up vendors and have acted accordingly.

How do you envisage the breeze-up market will fare generally this year, after a tough round of yearling sales?

Numbers have contracted this year and we're hopeful of a strong renewal in 2019. I would hope the demand at the breeze-up sales remains strong. Vibes to date have been positive with existing – and new – clients expressing a strong interest in the sale.

It also helps when graduates continue to perform on the track – most notably East's performance at the Breeders' Cup last autumn.

View the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge catalogue