COVID-19

The inaugural November P2P Sale, scheduled for Nov. 6, was announced by Goffs on Monday. The sale will offer Irish and UK pointers, as well as bumper horses and young horses with form at either Kildare Paddocks in Ireland or the Doncaster Sales Complex in the UK, depending on COVID-19 restrictions. "With the latter part of 2019-20 point-to-point season cancelled, as well as our highly successful Aintree and Punchestown Sales, we have been working to find a solution to get our P2P sales back up and running," said Goffs Group...

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, Alex Elliott answers our questions. TDN: What was your best yearling purchase over the last few years? And your favourite? AE: Group 2 winner New Mandate (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) is a horse that has quickly become both one of my favourite and best purchases. He was bought at last year's Arqana August Yearling Sale for €35,000 and was the...

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...

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...

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...

A COVID-19 spike in Wales's Rhondda Cynon Taf was not the result of last Wednesday's Doncaster pilot event where 2,500 spectators were allowed to attend, Doncaster has said, refuting the Welsh government's accusation. Wales's Health Minister Vaughan Gething indicated that a rugby club outing that made several stops--including the racecourse--caused the lockdown in Wales. "Our contact tracing teams have been able to trace about half of these cases back to a series of clusters within the borough," said Gething. "The rest are evidence of community transmission. There are a number...

The world-renowned Keeneland September Sale has been a long time coming this year. With the coronavirus pandemic canceling and postponing much of the sales season, all eyes are on Lexington this week as Keeneland hosts its first live in-person auction since COVID-19 first hit American shores. Director of Sales Operations Geoffrey Russell joined the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland Wednesday as the Green Group Guest of the Week to discuss the obstacles faced by the company in conducting the sale and his early impressions of the trading. "We've...

Only 474 spectators will be allowed at Warwick's upcoming Monday pilot of racing with spectators, the course announced on Wednesday. Prior to this adjustment downward, the track had been planning for 800 spectators. One of The Jockey Club's courses, Warwick had met with Public Health England which resulted in the spectator reduction. Racing resumed June 1 and, except for a pilot event at Doncaster last Wednesday, has been conducted without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Following discussions with local authorities and representatives, Warwick Racecourse will welcome up to 474...

A new website was launched by Marlhill House Stud on Wednesday. The site will be a comprehensive platform for buyers to learn about Marlhill House Stud yearlings in advance of the sales, including photos, conformation videos and pedigree information. To view the 10 Marlhill yearlings, split evenly between Tattersalls October Book 1 and Goffs Orby, go to www.marlhillhousestud.com. "We have done our best to move with the times this year by bringing ourselves online with a new website and greater use of social media," said Marlhill House Stud Manager Brian...