THIS year's Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale will be staged in Newmarket rather than at Fairyhouse.

The news was broken on Monday, and Tattersalls said the decision was taken "owing to the prevailing Covid-related travel restrictions in Ireland."

Newmarket Racecourse is currently operational as a vaccination centre and, to accommodate the breeze-up at the racecourse, the practice breeze and breeze will take place on Tuesday, June 1st and Wednesday, June 2nd, with the sale taking place on Thursday, June 3rd.

This sale was relocated to Newmarket in 2020 and saw strong trade with a 9% increase in average, a 22% increase in median and a healthy 85% clearance rate.

Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said: "The decision to relocate the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale reflects our commitment to providing the most vibrant marketplace possible for our breeze-up vendors and we believe that this option delivers the best chance of achieving that goal."

Brendan Holland of Grove Stud said: “I’m glad Tattersalls Ireland have addressed the uncertainty of the sale early which gives everyone a chance to reorganise themselves and hopefully it makes it easier for everyone to attend the sale in these difficult times. I am sure it will continue to be a success, it is always one of my favourite sales of the year.”

Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock said: “Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale has been a happy hunting ground for Blandford Bloodstock. We have bought plenty of winners from the sale for clients over the years, most notably Group 3 winner With Thanks, listed race winner Maystar and, most recently, the Lincoln winner Haqeeqy. The team look forward to returning to the sale in 2021.”