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Store Sales Dates Coordinated Between Goffs and Tattersalls

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, Goffs and Tattersalls have revised the store sales dates to allow sufficient time for vendors to quarantine between the Goffs UK Summer Sale and the Irish Store sales at Goffs and Tattersalls Ireland in compliance with Irish Government quarantine requirements. A two week gap between sales in the UK and Ireland has been agreed to give adequate time for Irish vendors to return from England and quarantine before they head to Kildare for the Goffs Land Rover Sale and then to the Tattersalls Ireland Derby and May Sales at Fairyhouse. The new dates are as follows:

Goffs UK Summer Sale in Doncaster–July 27 to 29th
Goffs Land Rover Sale in Kildare–Aug. 12 to 13th
Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale in Fairyhouse -Aug. 18 to 19th
Tattersalls Ireland May Sale in Fairyhouse-Aug. 20th
Tattersalls Ireland August NH Sale in Fairyhouse-Aug. 27 to 28th

“The bloodstock community, like the rest of the world, is having to adapt and react quickly to an ever evolving situation caused by this awful pandemic,” Tattersalls Chariman Edmond Mahony and Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said in a joint statement. “However, we have come together to make these changes to assist the vendors who have entries in more than one Goffs and Tattersalls catalogue, and need to attend several locations. Both companies are mindful of current government directives and have developed detailed protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees at each sales venue.”

A small number of entries from the Derby and Land Rover Sales will be allowed at the Goffs UK Summer Sale in a joint supplementary catalogue, although confined to UK domiciled stores from either catalogue.

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NYRA Establishes New Jockey Safety Protocols and Travel Restrictions for Saratoga

The New York Racing Association Inc., (NYRA) has announced updated health and safety protocols to address the rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases among jockeys around the country.

Until further notice, Saratoga Race Course will be closed to out-of-town jockeys. In addition, any member of the regular NYRA jockey colony who travels to ride at any other racetrack will not be permitted to return to Saratoga Race Course.

“These measures prioritize the health and safety of the jockeys competing in New York, and are designed to combat the spread of COVID-19,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke. “Unfortunately, the restrictive travel policies implemented today have become necessary as cases continue to rise in states across the country.”

The 2020 Saratoga Summer Condition Book currently lists 22 active jockeys and three apprentice riders. This group is to be considered the regular NYRA jockey colony.

Out-of-town jockeys that are not currently riding at another racetrack may be considered for inclusion in the regular NYRA jockey colony provided the jockey does not ride at another racetrack beginning on Thursday, July 16.

Any jockey that rides at a racetrack outside of Saratoga beginning Thursday, July 16 will be considered an out-of-town jockey and will not be permitted at Saratoga Race Course.

Jockeys’ Guild President and CEO Terry Meyocks voiced his approval of the additional jockey protocols.

“Under these circumstances, this is a common-sense approach to add a layer of protection for jockeys and ensure a safe and successful meet here in Saratoga,” said Meyocks. “Our membership stands in full support of these new travel protocols and we will continue to work closely with NYRA as this situation continues to evolve and change.”

All personnel working at Saratoga Race Course in any capacity are required by NYRA to produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to access the property. This policy is inclusive of jockeys, valets, NYRA employees, trainers and their staff, outside vendors and credentialed media.

New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association President Joe Appelbaum endorsed NYRA’s new safety measures.

“Health and safety need to come first as conditions around the country remain uncertain and inconsistent from state to state,” said Appelbaum. “We are confident that these restrictions will support a successful summer at Saratoga and mitigate risk for these world class athletes.”

In addition to race day safety protocols including standard health screening and temperature check, the jockey quarters at Saratoga Race Course have been substantially altered to provide maximum social distancing and reduce density. All areas accessed by jockeys during the regular course of a race day are closed to all outside personnel, including credentialed media, and are cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.

Jockeys and valets are not permitted access to the barn area. In order to work a horse in the morning, the jockey must meet the horse in the paddock and can then proceed to the main track.

Jockey agents must produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to gain access to the barn area. Races will continue to be drawn via Zoom.

All common areas as well as the jockey’s dining area have been closed and will remain closed through the end of the meet.

NYRA offers a limited number of steeplechase races on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the summer meet. NYRA has consulted with the National Steeplechase Association on specific safety protocols to be followed by the steeplechase jockeys. This group of jockeys must produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to access the property and will be completely isolated from the regular NYRA jockey colony in a physically separate location. Following that day’s steeplechase race, which will be carded as race one, the steeplechase jockeys will depart the property.

NYRA will follow current Centers for Disease Control (C.D.C.) and New York State Health Department guidance when determining the return of a jockey who has tested positive for COVID-19. This process will include a period of quarantine determined by the severity of the individual case followed by a series of diagnostic tests to rule out ongoing infection. NYRA will consider allowing a jockey to resume racing or training activities on NYRA property only when his or her physician has provided clearance to do so.

NYRA’s COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan Committee, comprised of key NYRA staff members as well as representatives from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.), Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA) and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America (NYRTCA), will continue to implement the most current health and safety protocols as described by the C.D.C. and the New York State Department of Health.

The 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course will begin on Thursday, July 16 and run through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.

Under current New York State guidelines, Saratoga Race Course will open without spectators in attendance.

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Full Brother To Yoshida Leads JRHA Foal Sale

While Monday’s yearling session of the JRHA Select Sale in Hokkaido, Japan, was all about the progeny of Deep Impact (Jpn), the late great champion sire had no produce in Tuesday’s foal session-his final crop containing only around 20 foals-and thus it was another son of Sunday Silence, Deep Impact’s former Shadai studmate Heart’s Cry (Jpn), who dominated proceedings during Tuesday’s foal sale. Heart’s Cry was responsible for the three highest-priced lots, all sold by Northern Farm and out of American mares.

Last year’s foal sale had set records for aggregate (¥9.78-billion/£72-million/€80.2-million/$89.8-million) and average (¥50.4-million/£371,286/€413,262/$462,765) and so the fact that Tuesday’s figures were slightly off from those numbers during the first foal sale for many years without Deep Impact’s presence is no disgrace. At the close of trade 203 foals had changed hands from 226 offered for a clearance rate of 89.9% that matched last year’s figure. The aggregate of ¥8,334-billion (£61,994,126/€68,162,184/$77,708,299) was off by 14.8%, while the average of ¥41,054,187 (£305,607/€335,946/$382,799) was down 18.6%. The median proved more stable, dipping by just 3.3% to ¥29-million (£215,876/€237,282/$270,336).

Teruya Yoshida, owner of Shadai Farm and chairman of the JRHA, recognized the challenging climate globally and the absence of Deep Impact.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the owners and trainers for attending the sale during such a challenging period and for supporting the market,” Yoshida said. “The market was slightly down today and I think the key factor is the absence of Deep Impact. When Northern Dancer died, the top end of the bloodstock market in America declined, and same thing happened here today.

“On the other hand, I believe the quality of mares we have in Japan is world-class and the quality of horses bred in Japan is world-class as well. I think the buyers were confident [enough] to make big investments in the horses we offered.”

Passion Prevalent Again

Taking top billing at the foal sale was the full-brother to Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), who will himself have the opportunity to reinvigorate the Sunday Silence line in the U.S. having just completed his first season at stud at WinStar Farm in Kentucky. Yoshida, who proved extremely versatile on the racecourse while winning Grade Is on both dirt and turf, was himself a graduate of this sale, having been bought by WinStar for ¥94-million (£699,266/€768,826/$876,375) from the yearling session in 2015. Tuesday’s colt (lot 365) is just the second progeny of the dam Hilda’s Passion (Canadian Frontier) to visit the ring, and he was bought by Yoshihisa Ozasa for ¥380-million (£2,827,376/€3,108,491/$3,542,793).

Ozasa did not attend the sale but said in a statement through Racing Manager Morito Kajihara, “I think this is the outstanding individual in today’s catalogue. I was bidding in earnest and am very happy to buy such a fantastic young horse. I hope he grows up well and will be in the field of major races in future.”

Yoshida is not the only luminary on the page; Hilda’s Passion herself won the seven furlong GI Ballerina S. at Saratoga and was bought by Katsumi Yoshida for $1.225-million from Fasig-Tipton November in 2011. Tuesday’s colt is her eighth foal, and in addition to Yoshida she is also responsible for the G3 Shinzan Kinen victress Sanctuaire (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

The Yoshida brothers have made a regular habit of plundering the auction rings at America’s breeding stock sales for some of the best-credentialed mares, and that strategy certainly paid dividends on Tuesday. The year before he had swooped for Hilda’s Passion, Katsumi Yoshida took home the champion 2-year-old filly She’s A Tiger (Tale of the Cat) from Fasig-Tipton for $2.5-million. The GI Del Mar Debutante winner-who crossed the wire a nose ahead of another Katsumi Yoshida recruit, Ria Antonia (Rockport Harbor) in the 2013 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies before being demoted to second for interference-has already produced the winning 4-year-old Tigrasha (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while her 3-year-old filly by Daiwa Major (Jpn) and 2-year-old daughter of Deep Impact are as-yet unraced. She’s A Tiger’s latest produce, a Heart’s Cry colt (lot 407), was her first progeny to visit a sale ring and the bay was bought by Masahiro Noda of Danox Co. Ltd for ¥270-million (£2,008,925/€2,208,536/$2,517,987).

“As there are no Deep Impacts on the market anymore, we decided we would like to buy a very nice foal by Heart’s Cry,” said Yoshiki Okada, racing manager to Masahiro Noda. “Our team inspected the consignment from Northern Farm and made a short list of foals by Heart’s Cry. He was on the short list and Mr. Noda selected this one from the list. The mare She’s A Tiger, who was the U.S. champion juvenile filly, is very good-looking horse and the foal is also good looking. The price was more than we expected but Mr. Noda did not want to stop bidding.”

A Deep Impact half-brother to GI Kentucky Oaks winner Cathryn Sophia (Street Boss) was the star turn of Monday’s yearling session, setting a record price for a JRHA yearling of ¥510-million (£3,794,400/€4,171,800/$4,756,197). The dam Sheave (Mineshaft)’s colt foal by Heart’s Cry (lot 383) was in the spotlight on Tuesday as the third-highest priced foal when bought by Miwa Holding for ¥210-million (£1,562,400/€1,717,766/$1,958,361). Sheave was a private acquisition by Northern Farm.

Kanaloa Colt An Early Highlight

The first $1-million-plus foal of the sale came early in the session when a Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) colt (lot 316) out of the G1 Premio Lydia Tesio and G2 Oaks d’Italia scorer Final Score (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) fetched ¥200-million (£1,488,061/€1,636,565/$1,865,106) from Ryouichi Ootuka. While many bidders battled it out for remaining heirs to the Sunday Silence line, Ootuka-who won last year’s G1 Kikuka Sho with World Premiere (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})-said he was taking a different approach.

“This is the pick of the day for me,” Ryoichi Ootuka said. “He is from a very successful female line, which is full of black-type, and it caught my fancy that he is Sunday Silence free, which would be a big advantage when he becomes stallion. While the price is more than I thought, I did not want to miss him.”

Final Score’s first two foals are both black-type placed. She is herself out of the listed-winning Holy Moon (Ire) (Hernando {Fr}), who produced three consecutive Oaks d’Italia winners in Cherry Collect (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}), Charity Line (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}) and Final Score-the latter two also won the Lydia Tesio-and the Italian Group 3 winner Wordless (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) before throwing her best produce of all, the G1 Yorkshire Oaks and G1 Irish Oaks winner Sea Of Class (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Lord Kanaloa, who has indeed proven an exciting outcross, provided another highlight lot in 539, a colt out of G1 VRC Oaks winner Kirramossa (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) bought by Tetsuhide Kunimoto for ¥140-million (£1,041,642/€1,145,777/$1,305,781). A colt out of GI Santa Anita Oaks winner Crisp (El Corredor) (lot 445) brought ¥80-million (£595,360/€654,560/$746,160) from G. Riviere Racing.

Sister To Champion Shines

Dual Horse of the Year Kitasan Black (Jpn)-by Deep Impact’s full-brother Black Tide (Jpn)–had first-crop yearlings selling on Monday but it was on Tuesday that he shone brightest with two foals cracking the top 10. First up was a half-brother to last year’s champion 2-year-old filly Resistencia (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) (lot 334) bought by Azabu Shoji for ¥190-million (£1,413,980/€1,554,580/$1,771,966), and he was followed by a colt out of G1 July Cup winner Fleeting Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (lot 484) picked up by INZEL Co Ltd for ¥110-million (£818,620/€899,896/$1,025,875).

The foal sale featured a filly from the first crop of American Triple Crown winner Justify (lot 397), and she went the way of Takeshita Koichi for ¥80-million (£595,360/€654,490/$746,049). The chestnut is out of Not Now Carolyn (Tapit), a daughter of Maryfield (Elusive Quality) who, like Hilda’s Passion, won the Ballerina S. and has produced the G2 Futurity S. second in Ireland, Radio Silence (War Front). A filly from the first crop of Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (lot 323) brought ¥41-million (£304,978/€335,421/$382,350) from Miyazaki Toshiya.

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Geroux Latest Jockey to Test Positive for COVID-19

Jockey Florent Geroux has joined a growing list of prominent jockeys who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Geroux was scheduled to ride Wednesday at Canterbury Park and had to take a test before he would be allowed to ride there. He took the test Monday and came up positive.

“I don’t really have any symptoms,” Georux said. “I was a little bit tired Monday, but I had a long week last week. I didn’t have any shortness of breath or anything like that.”

In less than a week, jockeys Luis Saez, Martin Garcia, Victor Espinoza, Flavien Prat, Eduard Rojas Fernandez and now Geroux have tested positive.

Other than Geroux, the jockeys all rode at Los Alamitos and Saez, Garcia, Espinoza and Prat all rode at the Southern California track July 4.

Geroux does not know where and when he got the virus, but speculated that it might have happened Thursday at Keeneland when he dressed in the same room as Saez. Saez took a test Thursday, and when the results came back positive, the next day he was removed from all his mounts after the second race.

Geroux said he has returned home and has begun his quarantine period.

“I’m looking at the bright side of this,” he said. “It could be a lot worse. There are so many people in hospitals with this that are hooked up to respiratory machines.”

Geroux normally rides at Saratoga, but has decided to make Ellis Park his main base of operation for the remainder of the summer.

Saez and Geroux are two examples of riders who have crisscrossed the country of late only to wind up with the coronavirius, raising fears that traveling jockeys may be spreading the virus from track to track. Shortly before his positive test, Saez rode at Belmont, Los Alamitos, Indiana Grand and Keeneland. Prat rode at Del Mar Friday and at Keeneland Saturday. Geroux rode at Keeneland Friday, at Belmont Saturday and back at Keeneland on Sunday and was scheduled to fly out to Canterbury before returning to Ellis Friday.

Some tracks have put rules in place that only regular local jockeys can compete and there is a growing sentiment for more tracks to do the same. Geroux said the main problem with doing that would mean that it could prohibit out-of-town riders from coming in during the week of the GI Kentucky Derby.

“People are saying what about Saratoga, that Kentucky jocks or California jocks should not be allowed to go to Saratoga,” he said. “Maybe not, but what do you for Derby week? Should only the regular jockeys in Kentucky be allowed to ride? We welcomed everybody at Churchill [during the spring meet] and all the jockeys from New York came there to ride. At Keeneland last weekend, all the jockeys from New York came to ride their big horses at Keeneland and no one put a stop on that. So why shouldn’t Kentucky and California jockeys be able to ride in Saratoga? If they can’t, only the Kentucky colony should be allowed to ride Derby week.”

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