THERE was a general air of relief when the hammer fell on the last lot at this week’s Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, a son of Dark Angel who sold for £100,000. The fact that the event went ahead, and did so with no issues concerning the safety of people and horses, was a credit to the sales company and to all the participants.

It is fair to say that when it comes to operating according to protocols, racing authorities and the thoroughbred sales companies in Ireland and Britain have adhered strictly to the guidelines. They offer a template for others and hopefully will be rewarded for this when it comes to opening up events to larger crowds.

We need to see attendances at racing as soon as possible, and not just from the point of view of creating atmosphere, though that would be desirable too. Owners make a huge financial investment in the sport, and from them flows the whole business of breeding and ancillary activities.

Without that money continuing to be put into racing we will be facing an even tougher time ahead, and anything that can be done to ensure their return to the races must be a priority, all within safety guidelines.

Speaking about the importance of owners, and their financial spend, leads me back to the yearling sales this week in Doncaster. It was inevitable that the sale numbers would be down, and they were back about 25% when it came to the average and median figures. The buying power was not the same as it has been for the last number of years.

One very conspicuous absence on the buying bench was that of Shadwell Estate. In the previous five years they have purchased about 15 yearlings annually, averaging just over £125,000 a horse. Their gross spend from 2015 to 2019 was £9.5 million. This year they were not present and bought nothing.

Given their average spend per yearling was £125,000, and that just two yearlings made more than that figure this week, their absence at the higher echelons of the market was damaging. Hopefully they will be active elsewhere. While Sheikh Hamdan is a hugely successful owner-breeder, he has been a lifeline for commercial breeders and pinhookers with his yearling purchases. It is noteworthy that his 2020 Group 1 and 2 winners include Battaash, Mohaather, Enhibaar, Minzaal and Waady, all bought at public auction.

It is a cliché that we live in challenging times. There is also no doubt that we face more challenges ahead. A mechanism to get owners back at the races, and even restricted numbers of racegoers, would instil much-needed confidence and help economically at many different levels of the industry.