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Tattersalls Ireland Postpones Sales

In light of the challenges of getting in overseas purchasers, Tattersalls Ireland will postpone its May and July Store Sales to Aug. 10 and 11, with the August National Hunt Sale following on Aug. 12.

The decision follows consultation with vendors and purchasers and is in reaction to the concern that overseas purchasers, in particular those from the UK, will be unable to visit Ireland without quarantine until July 19, as per the latest guidance from the Irish government. Tattersalls Ireland had facilitated about 100 buyers from the UK to visit this week's Derby Sale in a quarantine bubble, only to be informed by the authorities on the morning of the sale that the visitors would not be permitted to attend.

Tattersalls Ireland Chief Executive Officer Simon Kerins said, “In light of the enormous challenges faced this week with our loyal UK purchasers being informed at the 11th hour that they were not permitted to attend the Derby Sale, we have made the decision to move the May and July Store Sale to August. We feel that it is not in the best interests of our vendors or purchasers who have supported us with a quality selection of store horses to proceed with a sale in just over two weeks' time.

“It is expected that from July 19 the Irish Government will launch the EU's Covid-19 digital passport that aims to facilitate the movement of people within the EU and from that date, Ireland will also broadly align itself to the EU approach to non-essential travel into the EU from third countries such as the UK. Specifically, from that date, if a passenger has valid proof of vaccination, no travel-related testing or quarantine will be necessary. The Covid-19 landscape is fluid and constantly changing but it is of the utmost importance to us that there is no barrier for any purchaser coming to the sale, and we feel that can be best achieved by waiting for the changes above to come into effect.”

With regards to the company's flagship flat sale, the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, Kerins added, “A decision on the location of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale will be made early next week and we will continue to discuss all aspects of this with key stakeholders over the coming days before making a definitive decision.”

Last year's September Yearling Sale was staged in Newmarket.

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Saratoga to Open at 100% Capacity

Edited press release

After racing with no fans in 2020, Saratoga will open with 100% capacity in 2021, the New York Racing Association announced today.

With 70% of adult New Yorkers now vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday the immediate removal of COVID-19 protocols and restrictions for nearly all activities and industries, including outdoor sports and entertainment venues. Accordingly, NYRA will open all sections at Saratoga at 100%.

The lifting of all COVID-19 protocols, including the requirement for fans to provide vaccination status, applies to all hospitality areas and venues within the facility, including the popular Saratoga backyard, 1863 Club and The Stretch. Season admission passes, which provide access to the backyard, will be available for purchase and use without the prior requirement that fans provide proof of vaccination status.

“As New Yorkers collectively reach this major milestone in the fight against COVID-19, NYRA thanks Governor Cuomo for his leadership in achieving this goal and for the opportunity to welcome fans back to Saratoga this summer,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O'Rourke. “This season will be a celebration like no other in Saratoga's long and storied history and we are thrilled to open the gates to the best fans in racing in just a few short weeks.”

As announced previously by Gov. Cuomo, all fans who show proof of vaccination via the New York State Excelsior Pass on opening day, July 15, will receive free grandstand general admission. Fans from outside New York State may redeem free admission by showing their Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.

NYRA is encouraging all fans who have been vaccinated in New York State to download the Excelsior Pass at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass.

Non-vaccinated individuals will be required to wear a facial covering during their day at Saratoga Race Course, in accordance with CDC guidance.

The Whitney Viewing Stand at the Oklahoma Training Track will also re-open Saturday, June 26, when members of the public are welcome to view morning training from 7-10 a.m. Prior to the opening of the summer meet July 15, the Whitney Viewing Stand will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 7-10 a.m. with access available via Gate 21 on East Ave.

Licensed owners will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination when entering the Saratoga Race Course property. Beginning June 24, family members and guests will be permitted to accompany licensed owners to view morning training and visit the barn area.

At Belmont Park, the lifting of COVID-19 protocols will allow for the full re-opening of the facility to fans. Beginning Thursday, June 24, walk up general admission will be available for $5 and the backyard picnic tables will once again be available on a first-come first-served basis.

Season and weekly ticket plans for the 2021 season at Saratoga are currently on-sale at NYRA.com/Saratoga. Group hospitality reservations are also currently available via email at boxoffice@nyrainc.com or by phone at (844) NYRA-TIX. Tables in the Festival Tent may be reserved via Ticketmaster.com.

Single-day tickets will go on sale Wednesday, June 23 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com.

Single-day dining reservations in the Turf Terrace, The Porch and Club Terrace will be accepted beginning Wednesday, June 30 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com.

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Spectator Restrictions to Continue as UK Government Hits Pause on Reopening

After the UK Government announced that they would be taking a four-week pause on the country's progression out of COVID-19 restrictions on Monday, the UK Racing industry acknowledged the reasons for the delay, but expressed disappointment at the news. The COVID-19 roadmap out of lockdown had been due to switch to Stage 4 on June 21, but instead the current restrictions will continue, affecting major racing events like Coral-Eclipse Day at Sandown Park, and the Moet & Chandon July Festival at Newmarket.

Currently, the industry is working with the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) to secure a £21-million loan from the UK Government's winter survival fund, however, seeking additional support from the Sport Survival Package will now be considered. As it stands, most race meetings have a max of 4,000 spectators allowed, with Royal Ascot participating in the Events Research Programme (ERP), which allows 12,000 racegoers for the five-day stand.

Julie Harrington, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said, “While it is disappointing that plans for the relaxation of restrictions and the further return of spectators have been delayed, we of course understand the principle that Government's decisions should be evidence-based and public health must come first.

“Many of our racegoers will be frustrated by this delay, but we are doing all we can to work with national and local authorities to maximise the number of people allowed to attend race-meetings in safety.”

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Tattersalls July Catalogue Unveiled

The catalogue for the Tattersalls July Sale is now online, the sales company announced on Tuesday. Scheduled for July 7-9, 853 lots, divided between 742 horses and fillies in and out of training and 110 broodmares-13 with foals at foot, will sell at Park Paddocks in Newmarket over the three-day stand. Past graduates of the sale include recent G1 Doomben Cup hero Zaaki (GB) (Leoridesanimaux {Brz}).

Large consignments from owner/breeders Cheveley Park Stud (16), Godolphin (45), Juddmonte Farms (24), Newsells Park Stud, Shadwell Estates (102) and the Royal Studs have all been entered. Since 2019, the dams of 11 Group 1 winners have passed through the sale, among them the dams of Golden Horde (Ire) (Lethal Force {Ire}), Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

Mares in foal to established sires like Bated Breath (GB), Dark Angel (Ire), Iffraaj (GB), Invincible Spirit (Ire), Mehmas (Ire), New Approach (Ire), Oasis Dream (GB), Sea The Moon (Ger), and Showcasing (GB) will be offered, just to name a few. Younger stallions are also represented by in foal mares, among them Blue Point (Ire), Churchill (Ire), Cracksman (GB), Earthlight (Ire), Expert Eye (GB), Masar (Ire), Mohaather (GB), Ribchester (Ire), Study Of Man (Ire), and Without Parole (GB).

Some of the top lots are: MSP Dubai Fashion (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 42) carrying to Blue Point (Ire); Maid's Cap (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) (lot 122), a half-sister to G1 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in foal to Cracksman (GB); G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Hooray (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who was covered by Ulysses (Ire) this March and sells as lot 175; Monzza (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) (lot 113), a daughter of Group 1 winner Zee Zee Top (GB) (Zafonic) in foal to Bated Breath (GB); the five-time black-type winner and dual Group 2-placed Make A Challenge (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (lot 716); G2 Mill Reef S. winner Pierre Lapin (Ire) (Cappella Sansevero {GB}) (lot 767); 2021 Listed Woodcote S. heroine Oscula (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) (lot 243); and the Group 3-placed Hala Hala Hala (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) (lot 710).

In 2020, the sale was held over two days with a reduced catalogue of 572 due to COVID-19. A total of 330 horses sold for a gross of 5,940,900gns. The average was 18,003gns and the median was 10,000gns. Topping the sale at 130,000gns apiece were Kalagia (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and New Jazz (Scat Daddy).

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “The Tattersalls July Sale has an extraordinary record not only for producing high class horses-in-training, but also broodmares of the very highest quality. To date in 2021 mares purchased from the July Sale have produced Group 1 and 2 winners in America, Australia, Dubai and Japan bought for as little as 8,000 guineas and headed by the outstanding Group 1 Australian Oaks winner Hungry Heart (Aus) whose dam Harlech (GB) was a 60,000 guineas purchase from Godolphin in 2016. This year's Tattersalls July catalogue features the usual compelling combination of well bred fillies and in foal mares as well as high class horses in training and significant consignments from Godolphin, Juddmonte Farms and Shadwell Estates, all of which look set to attract plenty of interest from domestic and international buyers alike.”

Bidding will be available in person, as well as via the Tattersalls Live Internet Bidding platform or though telephone bidding.

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