PUBLIC horse sale auctions can continue during Level 5 restrictions, under the same rules as marts with all buying done online. Mullingar Sales have decided to proceed with their planned sale on November 7th under those guidelines, however Goresbridge’s flagship Go For Gold elite sale has been postponed, as has their October sport horse sale.
The Connemara Pony Sales in Clifden were due to host their three-day bank holiday sale this weekend and have postponed until December 4th, 5th and 6th. The Goresbridge sport horse sales will take place on December 2nd and 3rd, while Go For Gold has been pushed out to December 7th and 8th.
Speaking to The Irish Field on Thursday, Martin Donohoe of Goresbridge, said: “Everything would have to be done online and we didn’t feel that would have been right for the sport horse sale. Go For Gold has been postponed until the 7th and 8th (December) and we will be having the sale then anyway, if it has to be totally online, it will go ahead.
“It is very disappointing for everybody. Not alone us, we only have a small part to play, but it is very disappointing for vendors that have produced and minded these horses all year. They have to try and look after them for another four weeks now.”
Mullingar going ahead
Mullingar will host their sale online on November 7th. In line with Government restrictions, sellers will drop animals off and buyers can be facilitated to inspect the animals by appointment but bidding will only happen online.
A statement from Mullingar Sales reads: “Attendance on sale day is confined to registered buyers and sellers. The auction will proceed in the normal format, but without ringside bidding in line with Level 5 protocols agreed with the Department of Agriculture.
“All bids will be made on Mullingar Equestrian’s ‘IrishSportHorseAuctions’ sales app. The auction will be live-streamed and all bids will be made by way of the app whether you’re present on the day or bidding remotely from home. Sellers and buyers can register on IrishSportHorseAuctions.com, and entries are still being taken.”
The elite event horse sale at Monart is also going ahead online from November 2nd-4th.