Tattersalls To Explore All Options For December Sales Facing COVID-19 Lockdown

In response to the British government announcement on Saturday, Oct. 31 imposing a nationwide lockdown from Thursday, Nov. 5 to Wednesday, Dec. 2, Tattersalls will be exploring all possible options and dates for staging the 2020 Tattersalls December Sales.

Commenting on the current position, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said;

“As has so often been the case this year, we are having to respond to events and decisions entirely outside our control, but we would like to assure vendors and purchasers alike that our overriding priority is to stage the 2020 Tattersalls December Sales prior to Christmas. Naturally, our preferred option is to stage the December Sales on the existing scheduled dates and we are currently seeking clarity from the government as to whether bloodstock auctions are allowed to take place during the lockdown period. In the meantime in consultation with both Goffs and Arqana we will be looking to establish viable alternative dates with the joint aim of providing the industry with workable solutions to the challenges we all face.

“We will endeavor to provide the industry with definitive answers as soon as possible and while we regret the uncertainty and disruption caused by the new lockdown, we will continue to do everything in our power to stage sales at Tattersalls as safely as possible and at all times in full compliance with prevailing regulations.”

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Decision on UK Owners Attendance on Monday

British racing is continuing despite the upcoming second lockdown this Thursday, and a decision will be made on Monday to determine whether owners can watch their horses race, British Horseracing Authority Nick Rust said on Racing TV’s Luck on Sunday. The lockdown begins Nov. 5 and will last for four weeks. Betting shops will be closed during the lockdown as well.

“The Government has shown plenty of faith in us, and we can show what an important role racing plays in national life over the next month,” said Rust on Luck on Sunday. “There will be meetings tomorrow to work everything through, because there are arrangements which are different in Scotland and Wales–but fundamentally, on first assessment last night, the only query is going to be participation of owners.

“Obviously we’d love to keep them coming–but there have been some tough restrictions re-imposed on hospitality, so there are no guarantees on that. We will fight hard on it, but the main thing is that we comply and we keep racing going for the next month.”

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English Racing to Continue As Betting Shops to Close Due to New COVID Lockdown

British Prime Minister Borris Johnson announced during a press conference Saturday evening a four-week national shutdown, set to begin Thursday, Nov. 5, as a result of the rising COVID-19 cases in England. While horseracing, and other elite sports will be able to continue behind closed doors, betting shops, which re-opened following the initial lockdown June 15, are scheduled to be among businesses closed later this week.

A release issued by the British Horseracing Authority stated: “The horseracing industry has worked hard to maintain the safety of our participants and the communities in which we live and work. We have done all we can to play our part and will continue to do so under the new restrictions. The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Oliver Dowden has said that elite sport played behind closed doors will be able to continue in this period. Horseracing is included in that category, which is crucial for our industry.”

“The government’s decision, we believe, recognizes the professionalism shown by our people and the vital need to protect their jobs. This is welcome news for the tens of thousands whose livelihoods depend upon our industry. Now, more than ever, we recognize the need to act responsibly and keep racing safely. In the difficult weeks ahead, our sport will do its best to lift the nation’s spirits.”

“We have set out to government in recent weeks the perilous future we face with no spectators permitted at present and betting shops closing. [The] decision does not alter the fact that racing needs urgent financial aid and funding reform to protect jobs and the future of our world-class industry.”

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Jockey J.C. Diaz Jr. Tests Positive For Coronavirus; Will Miss Part Of Del Mar Meet

Jockey Jean (J.C.) Diaz, Jr. has tested positive for the coronavirus but is asymptomatic and began self isolation at his Los Angeles area apartment Friday.

As part of Del Mar's protocols and procedures for dealing with the pandemic, all jockeys' room riders and personnel were tested in San Diego this week on either Wednesday or Thursday at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla. Before he came on site at Del Mar, Diaz was notified Friday morning that his test of a day earlier had been positive for the virus.

If Diaz remains asymptomatic – that is showing no signs of the virus – by the end of the isolation period, he could return to riding on Friday, November 13. Diaz, a 20-year-old native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, will miss the first two weekends of the Bing Crosby meeting.

“I take my hat off to Del Mar and all the people involved,” said Tony Matos, Diaz's agent. Matos has been booking mounts for riders since 1966 and lists Hall of Famers Angel Cordero and Laffit Pincay, Jr. among his former clients.

“Just like at Santa Anita, Del Mar is doing a great job with testing and procedures,” Matos said.  “We all want to follow the rules and do whatever we can to keep everyone as safe as possible.”

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