Coronavirus

The second to last Japanese yearling sale on the calendar is in the books, and the health of the Japanese bloodstock market compared to other global markets was on full display during the Hokkaido September Sale from Sept. 22-24. The three-day sale saw healthy increases across the board despite the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic downturn. A day longer than last year's sale, the 2020 renewal's increase in gross was expected on numbers alone, but the increases to the clearance, average and median were a welcome relief to...

A different venue is not the only deviation from the norm as the Goffs Orby Sale takes centre stage in the European yearling sales calendar at Doncaster this week. On the last three occasions she has been represented in this sale Galileo (Ire) has been the sire of the star offering out of stellar producer Green Room (Theatrical), but on this occasion it will be Gilltown Stud's Sea The Stars (Ire) who has the honour of aiming to continue the mare's spectacular sales results. As usual consigned by Ballylinch Stud...

Just seven days ahead of the Oct. 3-4 G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting, Paris and its immediate suburbs were placed into the Reinforced Alert Zone (ZAR) due to a rise in COVID-19 cases on Saturday. This requires France Galop to limit attendance at race meetings at ParisLongchamp, Auteuil and Saint-Cloud to only 1,000 people per day, including racing staff. Priority access will be given to connections of starters at each meeting of the weekend, with owners able to enjoy the day thanks to a quota of six...

Edited Press Release The Maryland Jockey Club announced Friday strict protocols for jockeys intending to ride during Preakness weekend, Oct. 1-3, at Pimlico Race Course. All jockeys intending to ride during the weekend must arrive at Pimlico's drive-up COVID-19 testing site located just outside of the Hayward Avenue stable gate no later than 72 hours prior to their first riding assignment: Monday, Sept. 28 by 10 a.m. for Thurs., Oct. 1 Tuesday, Sept. 29 by 10 a.m. for the Friday, Oct. 2 Wednesday, Sept. 30 by 10 a.m. for Sat.,...

Attendance at ParisLongchamp on Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend on Oct. 3 and 4 will be cut from its original projection of 5,000 after Paris and its suburbs were once again placed in the Reinforced Alert Zone of areas with high incidences of coronavirus. The French government announced on Wednesday that maximum attendance at public events in such zones would be 1,000, but France Galop is seeking clarity on whether that number includes staff. France Galop has suspended ticket sales for the weekend and, pending the publication of the...

For the first time in its near 86-year history, Santa Anita Park will serve as a Los Angeles County voting center for this year's general election. The first floor of Santa Anita's clubhouse will be open for voting Friday, Oct. 30 through Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Santa Anita will provide a safe and convenient location for local residents to exercise their civic duty while maintaining the necessary social distancing, offering easy vehicular accessibility, ample parking and a spacious venue with large public restrooms. Voting hours will be from 9...

In advance of the upcoming Midlantic Fall Yearlings Sale in Timonium, Fasig-Tipton has announced that the following COVID-19 protocols will be in place in accordance with Maryland regulations: -Screening measures, including temperature checks and health screening questions, will be in place to gain admittance to the sales grounds for all staff, participants and attendees; -Cloth face coverings are required in accordance with U.S. CDC recommendations; -Participants will not be allowed to congregate. At least six feet of distance must be maintained between people; -Seating capacity in the sales pavilion will...

Jockey Club Racecourses had previously projected a loss of £75-million in 2020, but now says it expects losses to exceed initial estimates following the government's announcement on Tuesday that crowds will not be permitted at sporting venues for up to six months due to rising COVID-19 infection rates. JCR Group Chief Executive Nevin Truesdale said he is seeking further clarity from the government on how long such restrictions may be in place and what support they may offer in the meantime. "Organisations in the sport and events sector are facing...

The return of spectators to British sporting events has been put on hold due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the country, a development that racing's tripartite leadership bodies described as "a serious blow to the horseracing industry and to the people and communities who depend upon it for their living." Prime Minister Boris Johnson indicated the hold could last "perhaps six months." Warwick Racecourse hosted 500 spectators for its jumps meeting on Monday, and it was the second time a British racecourse has had fans since racing resumed...

Warwick Racecourse welcomed a crowd of 500 annual members and hospitality guests for its jumps meeting on Monday. It was only the second time since racing resumed from a nine-week shutdown on June 1 that a crowd was permitted on a British racecourse-Doncaster had a week-long pilot project planned for its St Leger festival but that was shut down after just one card due to tightened government regulations. Trainer Christian Williams was among those praising the Warwick project on Monday, saying, "It was brilliant, I think everything has been run...

Reciprocal arrangements on participation by runners trained in international jurisdictions were announced jointly by the British Horseracing Authority and Horse Racing Ireland on Monday. Beginning on Oct. 1, internationally-trained horses will be permitted to participate in all British races other than Class 5 and 6 handicaps/classified stakes on the Flat and Class 5 handicaps over Jumps. All such runners will be subject to the relevant government regulations. The same arrangements will also be introduced in Ireland on Oct. 1. The Irish Rules of Racing will continue to state that "a...

With the yearling sales now in full swing, TDN quizzes industry figures on past purchases, life during lockdown and their perspective on the sales over the next few weeks. Today, Eddie Linehan answers our questions. TDN: What was your best yearling purchase over the last few years? And your favourite? EL: [G1 Matron S. winner] Champers Elysees (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) was the best I've ever signed for. She was late on the third day of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and was a standout yearling that day. Johnny Murtagh...