Keeneland April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale canned due to coronavirus

Keeneland has cancelled next month's April Two-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale as the global coronavirus pandemic spreads.

Up to Thursday there had been 1,323 confirmed cases of the virus and 38 deaths in the US, with eight cases located in Kentucky, home to Keeneland and the centre of thoroughbred breeding in America.

Officials in the US have taken several measures, including restricting travel from mainland Europe, while New York is set to ban gatherings of more than 500 people. The NHL has pressed pause on its season.

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The Keeneland April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale was reinstated last year after a five-year hiatus. The auction was topped by a Tapit filly out of Alcibiades winner My Conquestadory bought by Chad Schumer on behalf of Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud for $1.3 million.

The 70 lots entered in this year's sale had been posted online on Tuesday, with catalogues due to be mailed on Friday.

Keeneland has also announced that its spring racing meeting from will open on April 2 behind closed doors and will not be considered for re-opening to spectators until April 15.

“While our horsemen and fans are certainly disappointed about us having to take these measures, it is critical to protect the health and safety of our patrons, employees and participants from the spread of Covid-19,” Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason said.

“We take our responsibility to the community and the horse industry seriously and we will continue to work in partnership with government authorities.”

The coronavirus crisis also threatens to disrupt European sales, with the next fixtures set to be staged by Tattersalls at Ascot on March 19 and April 1. They are followed by the Osarus Breeze-Up Sale at La Teste de Buch on April 9 and the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale in Newmarket on April 14-15.

Racing has gone ahead as usual at the Cheltenham Festival this week – which incorporated a boutique sale held by Tattersalls – however, the British government announced on Thursday that it was considering calling for the suspension of major events.

Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said outdoor gatherings of more than 500 should be cancelled, and Horse Racing Ireland has subsequently announced that all racing will take place behind close doors until March 29.