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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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Cornell Vet School Turning Into COVID-19 Emergency Testing Lab

Cornell University will repurpose part of its Veterinary College to help with COVID-19 testing. Cornell received approval from New York State to repurpose their Animal Health Diagnostic Center into an on-campus viral testing lab for students.

The program was implemented to reduce pressure on other testing sites. The program at Cornell is designed to test people when they arrive on campus, as well as to test people who feel ill or who have been exposed to COVID-19. This testing will be done in addition to surveillance testing; all testing will be done in collaboration with Cayuga Medical Center and Tompkins County Health Department.

It was noted that Cornell has a low prevalence of COVID-19 on campus: 0.2 percent of those tested have been positive for COVID-19. This is significantly lower than the 1.1 percent of people in New York who have tested positive.

Cornell plans to use the lab to test students once or twice per week. It is unclear if the lab will test people who are not students at the University. If students test positive for COVID-19, the university will work with the Tompkins County Health Department to assist with contact tracing and quarantining.

The nasopharyngeal swab will be used for arrival testing, but surveillance testing will use front-of-nostril samples. This type of testing is less invasive and can be used to test a high volume of samples quickly.

Naas Looking for Lockdown Heroes for Ballyhane S.

A total of 20 lockdown heroes, nominated by their peers for good deeds done in the midst the coronavirus pandemic, are required for the Irish EBF Ballyhane S. on Aug. 23 at Naas, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Thursday. Each hero will be assigned a horse in the €320,000 race, with the winner earning the use of a luxury car from Colm Quinn BMW for a week, a four-night luxury break for two adults and two children at the Heritage, Killenard in County Laois and €2,000 in spending money. To nominate your local lockdown hero, please go to www.naasracecourse.com and provide a brief description of their heroic actions and any other relevant information. Entries are due prior to noon on Aug. 19.

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QIPCO Announces British Champions Day Prize Money

Total prize money for the 10th QIPCO British Champions Day on Oct. 17 was cut to £2.5 million, QIPCO announced on Thursday. The purse reduction is a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but the raceday remains the richest in Great Britain. The G1 QIPCO Champion S. will be run for £750,000, while the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. sponsored by QIPCO will be £650,000. Both the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares and the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S. will be conducted at £350,000 and the G2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup will carry a purse of £300,000. Races will close on Sept. 1.

“We are pleased to be able to stage a card worth £2.5 million on QIPCO British Champions Day despite our income streams being so negatively affected and the enormous challenges facing the sport currently,” said British Champions Series Chief Executive Rod Street. “QIPCO British Champions Day has seen some superlative performances over the past decade and it is hugely important to us that we continue to make running a horse on the day as attractive as possible. We are very grateful for QIPCO’s long-standing partnership of British Champions Series and British Champions Day which has enabled us to make this early commitment.”

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