Officials at Goffs have released a statement clarifying announcements made June 30 as regards the venue and date options for the company's marquee Orby Sale.
As was previously stated, the Orby sale, with the cooperation of Tattersalls, is planned for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24 and 25, at Park Paddocks in Newmarket. However, Goffs officials are expressing optimism that travel restrictions could be eased in time enough for the sale to take place at its originally scheduled dates of Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 28 and 29.
These plans follow discussions which have taken place between Goffs and Tattersalls as a result of the COVID – related issues which disrupted the recent Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale.
Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said: “I am pleased we are able to offer some clarity to the many mutual Tattersalls' and Goffs' clients, and I am sorry that we may have contributed to any confusion last week. As one might imagine, clarity is hard to achieve in the current climate as the situation appears to be ever changing in each country. However, I repeat our appreciation of the collaborative approach that Tattersalls have taken and their generous offer of assistance should it be necessary.
“It is such a shame that the overseas buyers 'bubble' that worked so well for the Goffs Land Rover Sale and was being replicated at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale was inexplicably withdrawn at the eleventh hour but there is simply no way that vendors, or Goffs, can take the risk that the same thing could happen on the eve of the Orby Sale as there is too much at stake. Accordingly, as announced last week, we feel it is in the best interests of Irish vendors selling in Orby to clearly state that the sale will be held in Newmarket if the current restrictions on travel into Ireland remain in place.
“The caveat to all of these plans is the hope and increasingly strong belief that the introduction of the EU's digital passport in relation to Covid-19 vaccinations will lead to the imminent reopening of Ireland to international visitors meaning that we will hold the Orby Sale in Kildare Paddocks on its scheduled dates.”
Tattersalls Chairman, Edmond Mahony added: “Clarity is key at this stage and we have been working closely with Goffs, in the best interests of the wider industry, to provide them with a suitable alternative in the event that the current restrictions on travel into Ireland continue. Encouragingly, all the signals now point to a relaxation of the prevailing travel restrictions and we hope for all concerned that the Orby Sale will take place at its usual location and on its scheduled dates.”
The Goffs Sportsman's Sale will occur immediately following the conclusion of Orby should the sale in fact take place in Ireland, but if Orby is transferred to Newmarket, the Sportsman's will be held in Ireland Nov. 1 and 2 in conjunction with the Goffs Autumn Yearling and Horses-In-Training sale.
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