Fasig-Tipton follows Keeneland by cancelling April two-year-old sale

The Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training, scheduled to take place in Florida on Wednesday, April 1, has been cancelled due to the spread of coronavirus.

Fasig-Tipton and the Stronach Group took the decision following Gulfstream Park's announcement on Thursday that the racetrack would conduct live racing without spectators until further notice.

It is the second North American breeze-up sale to fall by the wayside, with Keeneland cancelling its auction due to be held next month on Thursday.

"While disappointing, cancelling the Gulfstream Sale is the most prudent and responsible decision we can make in light of the rapidly changing circumstances associated with COVID-19," said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning.

"With the facility closures at Gulfstream, it prevents us from conducting the auction. The health and welfare of all sale participants, both human and equine, is always our highest priority."

Aidan Butler, chief strategy officer of the Stronach Group, added: "Difficult times call for difficult decisions, but this one was relatively easy.

"For the health and safety of our horsemen and women, facility access is limited to essential personnel to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19. We are grateful to our partners at Fasig-Tipton for understanding these unique circumstances and look forward to hosting sales in the future."

Fasig-Tipton's contingency plan is to add the horses catalogued for The Gulfstream Sale into the company's Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, currently scheduled for May 18-19 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland.

Fasig-Tipton also plans to add a second Midlantic auction in late June at that same facility to provide an additional sale venue for horses, consignors and buyers.

"This is certainly a unique set of circumstances, but we will always strive to make the best decisions that we can for the marketplace and our customers," added Browning.

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