Tag: COVID-19 Policies

Keenelands September Yearling Sale Begins Monday

Keeneland's internationally important September Yearling Sale opens for the 78th time on Monday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. ET with the first of 11 sessions of top-class Thoroughbred racing prospects. A total of 4,037 yearlings have been cataloged to the sale, which runs through Friday, Sept. 24 and again will offer online bidding and telephone bidding to accommodate those unable to attend.

Keeneland has arranged Week 1 of the September Sale to present a large concentration of premium horses to as many of the prominent domestic and international buyers who annually participate in the auction as possible. A total of 1,102 yearlings were cataloged to Books 1-2 during the first four sessions on Sept. 13-16 before the sale takes a one-day hiatus and resumes Sept. 18-24.

“The importance of the September Sale to the health of the Thoroughbred industry and to the economy of Central Kentucky cannot be overstated,” Keeneland vice president of sales Tony Lacy said. “The finest yearlings from this year's crop will be offered during the two weeks of the sale, giving buyers from around the world the opportunity to select racing prospects at all price points to race in the U.S. or in their home countries. Keeneland has elevated the sale atmosphere to enhance the full experience for sellers and buyers and to celebrate all the Bluegrass has to offer those  who are passionate about horses.”

Graduates of the September Sale excel in the world's most important races. Through Labor Day, the sale had produced the winners of 249 stakes this year, including the winners of 34 Grade/Group 1 races. Among them are holiday weekend Grade 1 winners Echo Zulu (Spinaway), Max Player (Jockey Club Gold Cup) and War Like Goddess (Flower Bowl) at Saratoga along with Pinehurst (Runhappy Del Mar Futurity) at Del Mar.

The half-sister to Echo Zulu (Hip 43, a filly by American Pharoah) is among the siblings to a number of recent Grade 1 winners of 2021 at Saratoga and Del Mar that highlight the September Sale catalog. Others include the half-brother to champion and Ketel One Ballerina winner Gamine (Hip 486, a colt by Kantharos), the full sister to Hopeful winner Gunite (Hip 539, a filly by Gun Runner), the half-brother to Forego winner Yaupon (Hip 73, a colt by Good Magic) and the half-brother to TVG Del Mar Debutante winner Grace Adler (Hip 99, a colt by Into Mischief).

Among the notable stallions with their first crop of yearlings in this year's September Sale catalog is 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify. Other first-crop stallions include Accelerate, Always Dreaming, Bolt d'Oro, City of Light, Cloud Computing, Collected, Good Magic, Good Samaritan, Mendelssohn, Mo Town, Mor Spirit, Oscar Performance, Tapwrit and West Coast.

Cataloged yearlings represent such leading sires as American Pharoah, Australia (GB), Bernardini, Candy Ride (ARG), Churchill (IRE), Constitution, Curlin, Distorted Humor, Empire Maker, Fastnet Rock (AUS), Flatter, Galileo (IRE), Ghostzapper, Gun Runner, Highland Reel (IRE), Into Mischief, Kingman (GB), Kitten's Joy, Le Havre (IRE), Lope de Vega (IRE), Malibu Moon, Mastercraftsman (IRE), Medaglia d'Oro, More Than Ready, Munnings, No Nay Never, Not This Time, Nyquist, Pioneerof the Nile, Quality Road, Saxon Warrior (JPN), Speightstown, Tapit, Tiznow, Twirling Candy, Uncle Mo, Union Rags, War Front, Wootton Bassett (GB) and Zoffany (IRE).

COVID-19 protocols

For the September Sale, Keeneland's grounds are open to sales participants and the public, and the Sales Pavilion and Arena will operate at full capacity. Keeneland continues to follow the direction of local and national health guidelines that pertain to the COVID-19 pandemic to create the safest environment possible for sales participants.

Keeneland strongly encourages vaccinations for all eligible individuals.

Consistent with current CDC guidelines, Keeneland strongly recommends that all sales participants, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask when indoors. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available.

For additional safety, all Keeneland employees regardless of vaccination status will wear masks while indoors. Unvaccinated employees will continue to be tested weekly.

“Rising Stock” preview show airs Saturday; follow the sale on TVG2, Keeneland.com

Coverage of the September Sale begins Saturday, Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. when TVG2 will air “Rising Stock,” an hourlong preview show hosted by Gabby Gaudet and Scott Hazelton at Keeneland with Christina Blacker in the TVG studio. “Rising Stock” will be rebroadcast Sunday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 a.m. on TVG and at 11 a.m. on TVG2.

TVG2's live coverage of the September Sale will take place the first four days of the auction:

Sept. 13-14: 1-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sept. 16: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

As always, Keeneland will livestream the entire September Sale at Keeneland.com.

2021 September Sale schedule

The September Sale will take place as follows:

Week 1

Book 1 – Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 13-14. Sessions begin at 1 p.m. A total of 404 yearlings, including five supplements, are cataloged over the two days.

New for 2021 is the RNA Reoffer, which will begin immediately following the final hip of the Sept. 14 session as an option for sellers of yearlings that do not meet their reserves during the first session. (Click here for information about the RNA Reoffer.)

Book 2 – Wednesday-Thursday, Sept. 15-16. Sessions begin at 11 a.m. A total of 698 yearlings are cataloged over the two days.

Friday, Sept. 17 – A “dark day” when no sale will be conducted.

Week 2

Book 3 – Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 18-19. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. A total of 827 yearlings are cataloged over the two days.

Book 4 – Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 20-21. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. A total of 829 yearlings are cataloged over the two days.

Book 5 – Wednesday-Friday, Sept. 22-24. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. A total of 1,279 yearlings are cataloged over the three days.

Amenities enhance unique experience

For the September Sale, Keeneland is committed to hosting a world-class event that facilitates business while creating an enjoyable atmosphere for guests. Click here for the On-Site Experience Guide to learn more. In addition:

  • Keeneland Hospitality will offer a variety of culinary options around the grounds ranging from seated meals to grab-and-go snacks. Venues include the Limestone Café, Terrace Grill (weather permitting), Phoenix Room and Track Kitchen.
  • Valet parking will be offered. Otherwise, patrons may park in any spot not marked as reserved.
  • Golf cart shuttles will be available to transport sales clients around the grounds.

The post Keenelands September Yearling Sale Begins Monday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

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.”

The post Tattersalls To Explore All Options For December Sales Facing COVID-19 Lockdown appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Maskless Photo Draws COVID-19 Compliance Into Question At Keeneland September Yearling Sale

A photo in a tweet that circulated Thursday brought into question the enforcement of mask-wearing and social-distancing policies at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, leading Keeneland to issue a statement to Janet Patton of the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The photo, taken by bloodstock agent Michael Hernon and since deleted, displayed a group of over 20 individuals inspecting and showing horses during an “Express Lane” event outside a Taylor Made Sales Agency barn, in which a group of upcoming offerings are paraded in front of prospective buyers all at once to limit the hassle and potential contact of individual showings. Only one or two of the people in photo whose faces are visible are properly wearing masks, a couple others have their masks around their chins, and the rest do not have any visible face covering on or around them.

Patton, a veteran journalist whose coverage has included the business of the Thoroughbred industry, retweeted the image with a comment tagging Keeneland that asked: “How does this square with the protocols?”

Per Keeneland's COVID-19 safety policy for the sale: “All participants in the September Sale are required to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing of at least six feet at all times on the grounds – both indoors and outdoors.”

Fasig-Tipton also had a policy requiring masks at all times while on the property for the recent Selected Yearlings Showcase Sale, and photos from the sale revealed mixed success in mask enforcement, as well.

Buyers, owners, and bloodstock agents were not required to produce a negative COVID-19 test to gain entry to the property for either sale. That group is required to complete a health questionnaire prior to the sale, and daily temperature checks are taken. Negative tests were required for all others within 10 days of entry, including consignors and their crews, auction company staff, veterinarians, farriers, and media.

After the Keeneland photo gained some traction on social media, Patton contacted the company, which issued the following statement:

“Keeneland takes the health and safety of our employees and our sale participants very seriously, and we have addressed the issue pictured in the tweet with those involved. We remain vigilant in enforcing compliance with the COVID-19 protocols established to ensure that we, along with our consignors and buyers, are able to conduct the September Yearling Sale in a safe and responsible manner. Those protocols require that every person wears a mask at all times and maintains social distance. Please be assured that we continue to monitor our grounds to promote responsible behavior across the Keeneland campus.”

The post Maskless Photo Draws COVID-19 Compliance Into Question At Keeneland September Yearling Sale appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights