FURTHER late changes to the breeze-up sales calendar were announced on Thursday afternoon.

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.”

SUBSCRIBE TO THE IRISH FIELD & READ ALL OUR PREMIUM CONTENT