Tag: Brian Kavanagh

Overseas Buyers Barred From Attending Tattersalls Ireland Derby, May Store Sales Due To COVID-19

As previously announced, Tattersalls Ireland, HRI, ITM and Goffs submitted protocols to NPHET (National Public Health Emergency Team) to allow overseas purchasers to attend the sales in Ireland. Because of the increased level of new cases, and a concern in relation to the spread of COVID-19, we have been informed that permission to use the protocols to bring in overseas purchasers has not been granted, therefore the current guidelines regarding travel to Ireland will apply for both the Derby Sale and May Store Sale.

Both the Derby Sale and May Store Sale will take place at Fairyhouse as planned and the Tattersalls Ireland team will be available to assist those buyers now unable to attend the sales in any way possible. We will maximize the number of videos available of the stores in the sales, and buyers will be able to participate through the new live internet bidding platform or through telephone bidding via the Tattersalls Ireland team.

Commenting on the update Tattersalls Ireland CEO Matt Mitchell said:

“Naturally we are disappointed that our joint submission to government has not been approved, but we fully respect the decision and will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that the Derby and May Store Sales run as smoothly as possible. While the sales will take place under strict protocols, we will be working tirelessly to assist purchasers in any way we can, in particular those who cannot be present due to the travel constraints. We regret not being able to welcome to Fairyhouse our overseas purchasers whose loyalty has being rewarded with purchases that consistently deliver on the track. While the circumstances are difficult, we believe they are not insurmountable and our new live internet bidding platform and telephone bidding facilities will be at the disposal of all those unable to attend the sales.”

Brian Kavanagh, HRI Chief Executive added:

“Like many other sectors, COVID-19 is having a serious impact on all aspects of our business and the international travel consequences are becoming ever more complicated. While some potential purchasers may not be able to attend in person, the current situation requires us to be as creative as possible and through Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Horse Racing Ireland will assist Tattersalls Ireland and their international buyers in any way we can.”

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Ireland: Statistics For First Half Of 2020 Illustrate ‘Devastating’ Financial Impact Of COVID-19

Six-month statistics for horse racing and breeding in Ireland, released last week by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), illustrate the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the industry.

A total of 87 fixtures were lost in Ireland from March to June during the Covid-19 lockdown. Racing resumed behind closed doors on June 8 with strict protocols designed to ensure race fixtures could be run in a safe and controlled manner. Only key personnel who have completed medical screening and thermal checks are permitted on track.

Those lost race meetings – allied with the current scenario of no public attendance at all fixtures held behind closed doors – have decimated attendance figures for the first six months of the year, down almost 80 percent.

The bloodstock sales in the first half of 2020 experienced severe interruption, with sales either deferred or moved out of Ireland. Sales of Thoroughbreds at auction in Ireland for the first six months is down 87.3 percent year-on-year.

The number of active owners during the first six months (i.e. those making an entry) was down by 13.9 percent. Since the resumption of racing, there has been an upturn in the number of horses returned in training.

The number returned at any point during the first six months was down 1.6 percent compared with 2019, having been up by 9.1 percent on March 24 when racing ceased, while the number of horses-in-training at the end of June was up 6.8 percent year-on-year, reflecting the resumption of a full race program under both codes.

With no racing attendances since early March, betting with on-course bookmakers and the Tote was down 73.9 percent. In April, Horse Racing Ireland announced a strategic alliance between Tote Ireland and the UK Tote Group which from early next month will provide bigger pools and a single online betting pool for Irish and UK Tote customers.

Business update from HRI Chief Executive, Brian Kavanagh:

“2020 has been a devastating year for the country and like many other sectors, the horse racing and breeding industry has suffered greatly having effectively come to a standstill on March 24. Against that background, any comparison with previous years is futile. Nevertheless, a few key points are worth highlighting.

“The absence of attendances is having a devastating impact on racecourses and the businesses that depend on them such as on-course bookmakers, Tote, caterers and so on. Horse Racing Ireland and the racecourses are working to develop methods by which attendance can return once deemed appropriate by the Government. This is challenging and the contribution to the industry by the racecourses in continuing to race behind closed doors since June 8 is commendable.

“While traditionally the quieter part of the year, bloodstock sales figures for the first half of 2020 were decimated. The sales companies have shown flexibility with regard to their dates and HRI is working with them and Government to ensure that sales can safely resume in Ireland in August. The equivalent sales of those scheduled to be held between now and the end of the year generated €150m in turnover for Irish breeders in 2019, much of it to overseas buyers.

“With the support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, horse breeding and training were able to continue safely during the period of restrictions and owners have shown great loyalty with just a small drop in the number of horses in training. HRI is committed to restoring as many of the lost opportunities as possible and has previously announced revised fixtures and race programmes for the rest of the year which will provide opportunities for horses at all levels. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of owners, both domestic and international, in retaining their horses in training which has protected employment and economic activity in rural Ireland.

“Horse Racing Ireland welcomes the strong commitment to develop the industry over the coming years contained in the recently published Programme for Government, particularly in the context of the challenges provided by Covid-19 and Brexit. The racing and breeding industry is one which will contribute to the economic recovery, generating employment and a significant level of international investment into the Irish rural economy. Horse Racing Ireland is working with all elements of the industry to mitigate the impact of the current crisis, however, the challenges facing many participants are significant.”

SUMMARY OF KEY FIGURES:
Attendances down 79.1%
Bloodstock sales down 87.3%
Horses-in-Training down 1.6%
Current Horses-in-Training up 6.8%
Active Owners down 13.9%
Field sizes up 3.4%
On-Course Betting down 73.9%

A full summary of figures can be viewed HERE

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Irish Statistics Drive Home COVID Impact

Horse Racing Ireland on Friday released its mid-year figures, and with indicators down across the board they highlighted the severe repercussions the COVID-19 pandemic has had.

Betting with on-course bookmakers and the Tote was down 73.9% through the first half of the year; the public has not been allowed on an Irish racecourse since early March, and thus attendance has been down by 80%. Eighty-seven fixtures were lost between March and June, and severe interruption to the sales calendar meant public auction sales in Ireland are down 87.3% year-on-year.

The number of active owners is down 13.9%, however that figure has been on the rise since racing returned. The number of horses in training was down 1.6% for the first half of the year, but at the end of June it jumped up 6.8% year-on-year, reflecting the return of both the flat and National Hunt programmes. Field sizes are up 3.4%.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of HRI, said, “Twenty-twenty has been a devastating year for the country and like many other sectors, the horse racing and breeding industry has suffered greatly having effectively come to a standstill on Mar. 24. Against that background, any comparison with previous years is futile. Nevertheless, a few key points are worth highlighting.

“The absence of attendances is having a devastating impact on racecourses and the businesses that depend on them such as on-course bookmakers, Tote, caterers and so on. Horse Racing Ireland and the racecourses are working to develop methods by which attendance can return once deemed appropriate by the Government. This is challenging and the contribution to the industry by the racecourses in continuing to race behind closed doors since June 8 is commendable.

“While traditionally the quieter part of the year, bloodstock sales figures for the first half of 2020 were decimated. The sales companies have shown flexibility with regard to their dates and HRI is working with them and government to ensure that sales can safely resume in Ireland in August. The equivalent sales of those scheduled to be held between now and the end of the year generated €150-million in turnover for Irish breeders in 2019, much of it to overseas buyers.

“With the support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, horse breeding and training were able to continue safely during the period of restrictions and owners have shown great loyalty with just a small drop in the number of horses in training. HRI is committed to restoring as many of the lost opportunities as possible and has previously announced revised fixtures and race programmes for the rest of the year which will provide opportunities for horses at all levels. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of owners, both domestic and international, in retaining their horses in training which has protected employment and economic activity in rural Ireland.

“Horse Racing Ireland welcomes the strong commitment to develop the industry over the coming years contained in the recently published Programme for Government, particularly in the context of the challenges provided by Covid-19 and Brexit. The racing and breeding industry is one which will contribute to the economic recovery, generating employment and a significant level of international investment into the Irish rural economy. Horse Racing Ireland is working with all elements of the industry to mitigate the impact of the current crisis, however, the challenges facing many participants are significant.”

Click here for the complete statistics.

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