FURTHER late changes to the breeze-up sales calendar were announced this week.

The Goffs UK/Arqana Breeze-Up Sale, which had been scheduled to take place in Ireland at the end of this month, will now be staged at Doncaster on Wednesday, July 1st, with the breeze taking place there on Sunday, June 28th.

The combined Tattersalls Craven and Ascot Breeze-Up Sale is now set to take place in Newmarket on Thursday, June 25th – two days later than advertised – with the breeze taking place on Monday, June 22nd.

A statement issued by Goffs said: “Provisional plans had been made to hold the sales in Ireland but the return to Doncaster follows in-depth discussions with Tattersalls to simplify logistics for all vendors and purchasers across all UK breeze-up sales, whilst the dates react to the recently announced racing programme for the resumption of British racing that sees racing at Doncaster on Friday, June 26th.”

The Tattersalls date change “is in response to the allocation of racing at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse from June 18th-20th which precluded the staging of the breeze on an appropriate day for the previously scheduled June 23rd sale date.”

Both Goffs and Tattersalls also confirmed that social distancing restrictions will be in place for the upcoming sales.

Goffs said: “Restrictions will be placed on the number of people attending the sale at Doncaster and all buyers who wish to attend must first register their interest with Goffs UK. Strict social distancing protocols, in accordance with UK government directives, will be in place for the duration of the sale whilst BHA raceday protocols will be implemented for the breeze on Doncaster Racecourse.

“Goffs UK will circulate details to all potential attendees in the near future whilst accommodation has been arranged with local hotels which can be booked directly with the hotel via a link from Goffs UK.”

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony announced: “As well as giving buyers an extended period in which to view the horses prior to the sale, Tattersalls will be reintroducing live internet bidding as well as telephone bidding on the day of the sale. In association with GBRI and ITM we have also commissioned pre-sale video footage of all Tattersalls breeze-up two-year-olds and these can now be viewed on our website.

“On a practical level, in line with prevailing government guidelines, the sale will be restricted to those attending in a professional capacity. Full health protocols will need to be adhered to by all those attending the sale and we will be circulating full details to vendors and purchasers alike in the coming days.”

Acknowledging one of the key differences between the payment and billing conditions for Goffs UK and Arqana, Goffs UK has confirmed it will deduct a 5% agents levy from the sales proceeds of each lot sold from both the Goffs UK and Arqana catalogues and it will be paid to the purchasing agent. The standard Goffs commission rates will apply for both sales.

Also this week Arqana announced its premier yearling sale, usually staged in August, has been put back to September 24th-26th. To accommodate the move, Tattersalls Ireland has brought forward its September Yearling Sale by one day, so it runs from Monday, September 21st to Wednesday, September 23rd.

Matt Mitchell, chief executive of Tattersalls Ireland, said: “There has been a real spirit of cooperation between our respective firms and discussions have at all times been conducted with the best interests of Irish and French breeders and the wider bloodstock industry as the primary concern.”

Revised breeze-up sale dates

Thu, June 25th: Tattersalls Craven & Ascot Breeze-Up Sale at Newmarket (breeze on Monday, June 22nd)

Wed, July 1st: Goffs UK & Arqana Breeze-Up Sales at Doncaster (breeze on Sunday, June 28th)

Wed, July 8th: Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale at Newmarket (breeze on Monday, July 6th)

Fri, July 24th: Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale at Fairyhouse (breeze in week commencing Monday, July 20th)