Following the latest lockdown measures announced by the Irish and British governments in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Goffs has made several changes to its early new year sales at Kildare Paddocks and Doncaster.

The Goffs February Sale will be held in two parts with breeding stock, older horses and two-year-olds selling in an online live sale on its traditional dates of Tuesday and Wednesday, February 9th and 10th, and the yearling [weanling] section rescheduled to Tuesday, March 2nd as a physical sale at Kildare Paddocks.

The Doncaster January Sale, featuring National Hunt mares, yearlings, horses in training and point-to-pointers, will also be divided into two parts, with the National Hunt mares and horses in training offered online on the scheduled date of Tuesday, January 26th, and the National Hunt yearlings and point-to-pointers being delayed to Wednesday, February 17th at the Doncaster Sales complex.

Goffs' chief executive Henry Beeby said: "Under the current lockdown measures in both Ireland and the UK, we do not feel it is prudent to hold a physical sale in this early part of the year and we have therefore selected alternative options that we believe will maximise the potential for vendors and buyers in all sectors.

"Where we feel it may be possible to hold an on-site sale and the category allows, these sales have been rescheduled to later dates and we will communicate any additional updates pending further government advice.

"Like everyone, we hope and pray that 2021 sees an end to Covid as vaccinations are rolled out. However, until such a time, we wish to reassure vendors and buyers that Goffs will continue to review our sales dates on an ongoing basis in consultation with our clients, industry bodies and other sales companies.

"As such we have again liaised with closely with Tattersalls and Arqana to ensure that any changes to our sales are in congruence with their plans. That consultation and planning should allow us to best serve the industry and carry out every sale this year as successfully as circumstances allow”.

DONCASTER JANUARY SALE - NEW SCHEDULE

NH mares and horses-in-training

>Offered in a live online auction on Tuesday, January 26th as scheduled.

>No horses, vendors or purchasers on site.

>A separate catalogue for this sale will be available online from Tuesday, January 12th. The printed catalogue will be distributed the following day.

DONCASTER JANUARY SALE - NEW SCHEDULE

NH yearlings and point-to-pointers

>Offered at a physical sale at the Doncaster Sales complex on Wednesday, February 17th.

>Horses available for inspection and presented for sale as normal.

>A separate catalogue for this sale will be available and online in advance.

>Strict protocols similar to those in December will be in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all attendees, and compliance with the latest government directives at the time.

GOFFS FEBRUARY SALE - NEW SCHEDULE

Breeding stock, older horses and two-year-olds

>Circa 250 lots offered in a live online auction on their intended dates of Tuesday and Wednesday, February 9th-10th.

>Sale starts at 12 noon each day.

>A separate catalogue for this sale will be available online from Friday, January 8th. The printed catalogue will be distributed next week.

>Format follows the online autumn yearling and HIT sales held in November with no horses, vendors or purchasers on site.

GOFFS FEBRUARY SALE

Yearlings

>Circa 240 lots offered at a physical sale at Kildare Paddocks on Tuesday, March 2nd.

>Horses available for inspection and presented for sale as normal.

>Sale starts at 10am.

>A separate catalogue for this sale will be available online from Tuesday, January 12th. The printed catalogue will follow.

>Strict protocols similar to those in December will be in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all attendees, and compliance with the latest Government directives at the time.

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