ON Monday, the return to outdoor working means that the sales companies can start to inspect yearlings and thus establish some much needed momentum. The week would “normally” see the Goffs UK Spring Sale at Doncaster and the Goresbridge Breeze Up (at Fairyhouse), to be followed by the Irish Guineas meeting. That has all turned out to be the stuff of dreams, and there will be a pretty different complexion as well to the yearling visits, which are subject to a number of rigorous new protocols, agreed together by Goffs and Tattersalls.

There will be regular hand sanitising, masks and gloves will be worn, and a minimum amount of staff are permitted to show the yearlings. We must stay at least two metres from both horses and humans, and cannot enter any vehicle with a client, nor any indoor premises. This final regulation is particularly sad as a highlight of many visits is the chats and treats around many a kitchen table though one upside of this will be that the few ounces that I have managed to shed during the lockdown may be kept at bay from returning too quickly.