THE chinks of light from the end of the tunnel seem to be gradually getting bigger. This week Goffs agent Gerry Hogan began to inspect yearlings for this year’s upcoming Orby Sale and despite all that has gone on before and the battle the industry still faces, he is optimistic about the outlook for the rest of the year.

“It was great to get back out on Monday to see a few yearlings,” Hogan said. “It was the first day I was able to get back to it. I went down to a few yards in Cork and it’s only now really that we will be able to crack on and work ahead of the Orby Sale.

“There is plenty to see and I expect to be able to get stuck in now. It’s nice to be back into a routine and getting out to meet clients you haven’t spoken to in a while, maintaining social distancing of course.”

Hogan, who also works independently as a bloodstock agent and was responsible for buying Paisley Park and De Rasher Counter for Emma Lavelle, is also upbeat about the National Hunt side of things. All the stores have been viewed ahead of the Land Rover Sale which will hopefully take place in early August.

“I was involved in buying a couple of pointers privately just before the season locked up and I believe there was a bit of trade done elsewhere also,” he said. “That is important because if the point-to-point men are able to get that capital back in, they’ll be more able to buy stores.

“More significantly I’d be upbeat about the Land Rover Sale. Just from my own perspective, I had three different people telling me they were keen to buy at the sale in January and when I spoke to them in the last couple of weeks, nothing had changed, they are still coming over.

“You would be a bit worried with the way the economy has been hit and for sure there is going to be an effect, like there will be on all types of markets but racing and sales are great at working their way out of situations like this and hopefully vendors will get as much as they possibly can. Look it’s never going to be simple but I don’t think it’s going to be a bloodbath either. I think it’ll be fine.”

Hogan reported Paisley Park in good form since his blip in the Stayers’ Hurdle in March. The seven-year-old was found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat after the race but is okay now and enjoying a summer break.

Hogan added: “It was very unfortunate for Andrew (Gemmill, owner) and every one connected. It has happened to lots of good horses over the years. He’s okay now and hopefully he’ll be back to his best next season.”