Goffs and Tattersalls have agreed a set of safety protocols to be implemented on farms during upcoming yearling inspections which will commence in the UK and Ireland on Monday, May 18th, under the phased return of outdoor workers outlined in the recently published British and Irish governments’ Covid-19 directives.

The two sales companies issued a joint statement on Thursday afternoon which said that safety procedures will be strictly followed by both inspection teams and comply with all government guidance relating to social distancing, hand sanitation, and the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment to ensure the safety and welfare of vendors, their staff and the sales company personnel. Vendors will receive details of the safety protocols from Goffs, Goffs UK, Tattersalls and Tattersalls Ireland in advance of the respective agent’s visit.

In a joint statement, Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony and Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby said: “The primary focus of Goffs and Tattersalls is the health and wellbeing of our clients and staff. In these challenging times, we have a particular duty of care to the farms that we visit and are following the advice and directives of the authorities in the UK and Ireland to provide a safe environment during inspections.

“Both bloodstock teams are looking forward to getting on the road for yearling visits as we continue to prepare for the autumn sales season. This is a hugely enjoyable and important time in the yearling sale process and, we hope, a small step towards some degree of “normality” returning for our vendors and the wider industry.

“Notwithstanding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we both hope that the autumn sales calendar can follow the published dates. However, we will closely monitor the situation and adapt with contingency plans if required.

"We acknowledge the importance of the bloodstock industry coming together in difficult times, and the sales companies will continue to liaise and work in harmony where appropriate to provide the best opportunities to buy and sell thoroughbred racehorses."

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