Our trade has in recent years appeared mysteriously impervious to many of the economic dramas afflicting the outside world. In 2023, however, many keynote auctions have experienced what felt like an inevitable and possibly overdue moderation of the tempo. Nothing too dramatic, in the main: the kind of thing that might be described as a “correction,” often measuring up more than respectably to what had seemed extremely robust figures in 2021, prior to a notably giddy spike at the elite auctions last year. But those trends are internal: they are measured, year to year, in the same ring and in the same currency. Now that we can more or less close out the data on the 2023 yearling market, however, we're in a position to take a step back and assess its overall performance in the kind of transnational terms that match the perspective of its principal investors.

And, with only a couple of minor European sales still to be entered on the ledger, it turns out that the aggregate value of the yearling market either side of the Atlantic in 2023 has almost precisely matched even the historic landmark of last year. Then, for the first time, we were able to acclaim “Billion Dollar Babies.” This time round, the headline figure has inched up 0.3 percent from $1,001,529,828 to $1,004,465,043.

When you think of the huge spectrum of yearlings to come under the hammer from each crop, this virtual parity feels almost freakish, especially when so closely matched by the numbers entering the ring: 12,731 this year, compared with 12,674 in 2022. One of the few conspicuous wedges between the two years is a slippage in the clearance rate, from 83.3 percent to 80.7, translating into a 2.75 percent drop in overall sales to 10,268 from 10,559. Sure enough, then, the average cost of every yearling in the combined transatlantic market has actually advanced 3.1 percent to a new high of $97,825 from $94,851.

That headline positive duly contains a mild negative, in that the average achieved from essentially unchanged turnover goes up because there have been more RNAs. But the bottom line is that those that did change hands made more money than ever.

Nonetheless there are a couple of caveats to that statement. The most important is that the European element must always be assessed through the prism of fluctuating exchange rates. Last year, for instance, the dollar value of a soaring internal market in Europe actually weighed in 2.4 percent lighter than in 2021. This time round, European trade converted to $404,163,529, up 3.3 percent from $391,241,817, on the face of it a wholesome contrast with a marginal slip (1.6 percent) in the American gross from $610,288,011 to $600,301,513.

But much of that gain in European trade reflects the anaemic condition of sterling last year. During Book I at Tattersalls it traded at $1.13, and there had been little change by the time the global data was reported for a similar examination this time last year. By the start of the year, sterling had hauled its way up a few rungs to $1.21 and–following a mild midsummer swell–that's pretty well where it remains today. So while an American buying a Book I yearling this year might regard the extra cost of a “guinea” this time as no big deal, the difference was comfortably more than the increase in the dollar value of the European yearling market.

We're a still a long way from pre-Brexit values, however. In October 2015, sterling at $1.52 meant that the Book I average converted to almost exactly $355,000. This time round, when the local value of a Book I yearling was 9.7 percent higher than 2015, the dollar value remained 12.7 percent lower. Domestic vendors should not deceive themselves, then, that it is only the caliber of their stock that might have been tempting American investors since the great Brexit tantrum.

Of course, if you're trading within that market none of this will matter. A domestic pinhooker, or a breeder who pays a local stallion fee, will be paying electricity bills and wages in the same currency. Within that trading environment, in Europe, a few factors together conspired to take some of the heat out of the market compared with 2022: just one of the final crop of yearlings by Galileo (Ire) surfaced in Book I, for instance, even as his premier son Frankel (GB) becomes increasingly the resort of top breed-to-race programs. (And then there was the fact that one of the biggest contributors to turnover in 2023 never actually paid up!)

As for the American market, perhaps the key indicator is the decline in clearance to 78.7 percent sold, from those entering the ring, down from 82 percent last year and 83 percent in 2021. We've already noted the impact on the overall figures, the European rate having held up a good deal better at 83.3 percent, after registering frantic demand (84.9 and 85.9 percent) over the two previous years. As a result, at $105,095, the average North American yearling transaction in 2023 fell only just short of last year's breakthrough figure, when the six-figure barrier was breached for the first time at $106,808. In other words, people appear to have been a little “pickier” in their shopping while being prepared to go harder at their final shortlist. A little tougher to sell, then; but a little tougher to get that hammer to fall, too. But don't forget that a clearance rate touching 79 percent is still way better than 74 percent in the year before the pandemic.

One way or another, the market plainly remains robust. A mild loss of momentum in some indices feels somewhat overdue, if anything, a prolonged bull run having suggested bloodstock to be immune even to the most alarming economic and geopolitical tremors. But it may be that those whose affluence has been consolidated even through times of plague and war are not quite so indifferent to an altered fiscal landscape.

It was always contentious that the cash doping of panicked economies persisted so long after the banking crisis, but for a while now we've found ourselves back in a forgotten world of high interest rates. And central banks still aren't getting enough patches of blue sky to put away the umbrella. Meanwhile the S&P 500 is heading towards its third negative month in a row, which hasn't happened since the start of the pandemic in 2020. There's new instability in the Middle East, compounding the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, and a turbulent election year ahead. Those are some of the trees falling in the forest.

Our own world persists in its insularity, albeit without a great deal of coherence. Demand for racehorses can only be described as healthy, if the transatlantic yearling market can maintain the $1 billion breakthrough of last year. But supply continues to diminish, with a declining foal crop ever less eligible to service the betting windows and so, ultimately, purses. In the meantime, we have slot boomtowns even as storied venues are closing; extremes that make our sport's very survival bitterly contentious, including within our own community. Above all, we persist in placing the cart of commercial breeding in front of the horse itself. (We've just come within a couple of shifts of a totally unproven sire covering 300 mares!)

There remain many things we can be positive about, as we hope to be reminded at our principal showcase this weekend. But we can't take this resilience of investment, remarkable as it is, for granted. As and when it dries up, we need to be ready with a resilience of our own: with a breed, and a sport, equipped to last.

The post Big Picture Shows Yearling Market Holding Firm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

HIDDEN CLASS ($5.12) showed her class today, pulling away to a clear victory in the 2nd at @KYDownsRacing.

The 2yo filly by @LanesEndFarms's Catalina Cruiser was ridden by @JRosarioJockey for trainer @mjsharp75_joe. She is owned by @EBrehmJr and James Atkins. pic.twitter.com/JV7oYRmQTi

— TVG (@TVG) August 31, 2023

The post Hidden Class Impressive In Valuable Keeneland Sales Allowance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Sales history: $130,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $140,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. O-Danny A. Eplin; B-John C. Oxley; T-O. J. Jauregui.

#2 DREAMFYRE ($9.20) wins the (GIII) Sorrento Stakes, presented by @KeenelandSales.
She was confidently ridden to victory by @HIBerrios for trainer @ojjauregui. Congratulations to owner @DanEplin! pic.twitter.com/FgEUuX5wGe

— TVG (@TVG) August 12, 2023

Saturday, Del Mar
SORRENTO S. PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES-GIII, $201,000, Del Mar, 8-12, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.52, ft.
1–DREAMFYRE, 120, f, 2, by Flameaway
           1st Dam: Appreciating (GSP, $105,093), by Sky Mesa
           2nd Dam: Hello Barbara Sue, by Dehere
           3rd Dam: Barbara Sue, by Big Spruce
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($130,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $140,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Danny A. Eplin; B-John C. Oxley (KY); T-O. J. Jauregui; J-Hector Isaac Berrios. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $165,000. *1/2 to Nasreddine (Nyquist), GISP. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Benedetta, 118, f, 2, City of Light–Tessie Flip, by Grand Slam. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($290,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $750,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Kaleem Shah, Inc.; B-Springhouse Farm & Dromoland Farm (KY); T-Simon Callaghan. $40,000.
3–Dua, 120, f, 2, Arrogate–Attempt to Name, by Consolidator. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($400,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL). O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Wynnstay INC, Donna Moore & Jim Richardson (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $24,000.
Margins: 3HF, 7 1/4, HF. Odds: 3.60, 1.90, 1.90.
Also Ran: Motet, Ur in Trouble, Vinos Angel, Kythira. Scratched: Feisty Mitole.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Flameaway’s Dreamfyre Streaks Home to Score in Sorrento appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“Keeneland is excited to team with NYRA and Del Mar in sponsoring these prestigious summer stakes, and for Keeneland November to sponsor our Jessamine Stakes in the fall,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “This initiative supports our mission to better the industry and aligns our globally important September Yearling Sale and November Breeding Stock Sale with these world-class race tracks.”

The post Keeneland Sales To Sponsor Major Filly Stakes From Coast To Coast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

As part of the orchestration around the partnership, Keeneland Sales will become the presenting sponsor for the GIII Sorrento S. on Saturday, Aug. 12.

“We're delighted to be partners once again with the folks at Keeneland,” said Tom Robbins, Del Mar's executive vice president of racing. “The name Keeneland resounds throughout our industry and Del Mar and Keeneland are a perfect pairing.”

The post Del Mar Partners With Keeneland Sales appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

1st-BEL, $75K, Msw, (S), 2yo, 5f, 1:00 p.m.
A 2-year-old maiden special weight for New York-breds kicks off Belmont's Sunday card. Trained by Mike Maker, the rail-drawn THE WINE STEWARD (Vino Rosso) hails from the first crop of Vino Rosso, who is represented by one winner from five starters. The $340,000 OBS March buy's dam Call to Service (To Honor and Serve) counts MGSW Isotherm (Lonhro {Aus}) as a half-brother and the unraced half-sister Adande (Bwana Charlie), who is responsible for GSW Skelly (Practical Joke). TJCIS PPS

The post Sunday Insights: $1.25m Keeneland Yearling Grad By Into Mischief Debuts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

1st-AQU, $80K, Msw, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:20 p.m.
A Keeneland November Sale buy for $375,000 as a weanling, MAJESTIC MICHAEL (Justify)'s second dam counts GISWs Discreet Cat (Forestry) and Discreetly Mine (Mineshaft) as half-sibs. This first-time starter is out of unraced dam Emily B (Smart Strike), who is a half-sister to GISW Awesome Maria (Maria's Mon). Trained by Anthony Dutrow, the chestnut colt will have the services of Kendrick Carmouche from the rail. TJCIS PPS

The post Friday’s Racing Insights: Practical Joke Filly Brings Swag appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“The Keeneland family mourns the passing of Pete McCormick, who was an iconic presence in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion during his four decades as a bid spotter,” Keeneland said Friday in a statement. “Pete famously said, 'My life is the auction business,' and he was widely respected by colleagues and horsemen for his tireless work ethic, professionalism and devotion to his craft. He would arrive at the sale two to three hours before the auction began to walk the barns, talking to buyers and consignors and getting to know the horses. His extensive knowledge and his demeanor won him a legion of fans, many of them buyers at the highest level, who showed their confidence in Pete by sitting in his area of the ring to place their bids. He was their good-luck charm.”

“Keeneland extends its deepest condolences to Pete's family, especially his son, Ken. He will be greatly missed.”

The post Keeneland Bid Spotter Pete McCormick Dies At 75 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Previously trained by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer for the ownership group of Sherman Racing Inc., Zivka Akin and Robert Hawkins, Acting Out won three of 10 starts in California and was placed in the Camila Urso S. sprinting on the turf at Golden Gate last year, but switched to the Arkansas oval this term and was a wire-to-wire allowance winner Mar. 11 before besting heavily favored 'TDN Rising Star' Frank's Rockette (Into Mischief) in the Carousel. She was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency as hip 23.

“She is a six-furlong specialist, so she will [continue] sprinting and hopefully be back here to [race in] the [GII] Thoroughbred Club of America S. in the fall,” said Farish. “We hope we can make some of the purchase price back [by racing her] before retiring her at the end of the year.

“When the catalog came out, she was one that just stood out in the catalog,” Farish added. “When we saw her–she looked fabulous, a beautiful mare, really correct. She looks like one who would have nice babies. [Her pedigree] goes back to a Stuart Janney III family, and we hope to breed her one day.”

Acting Out is out of a half-sister to Janney III's Grade III-winning turf mare Onus, also a daughter of Blame, and to the dam of the promising 3-year-old multiple graded-placed turf colt Limited Liability (Kitten's Joy), who flew home to win a grass allowance at Keeneland Apr. 16. The stakes-placed third dam Meghan's Joy (A.P. Indy) has left behind the likes of graded winners Ironicus (Distorted Humor), On Leave (War Front), Norumbega (Tiznow), Hunting (Coronado's Quest) and Quiet Harbor (Silver Deputy).

WATCH: Acting Out sells for $600,000 at Friday's Keeneland April Sale

The ELiTE-consigned Blue Devil (Uncle Mo) was the most coveted of the male racing prospects, selling to Rocket Ship Racing LLC, agent/William Denzik for $260,000. The 3-year-old was offered as hip 32 on behalf of his previous owners SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Siena Farm and Golconda Stable and trainer Rodolphe Brisset and made a favorable impression in his lone racetrack appearance to date, missing by a neck in a six-furlong maiden over the Turfway synthetic Apr. 2. The same connections were also represented by Blackadder (Quality Road) (hip 89), who was purchased by Claiborne Farm, agent, for $250,000. Hailing from a Stone Farm family, the colt holds an entry for the GI Preakness S. by virtue of his victory in the El Camino Real Derby Feb. 12.

Another Brisset trainee made his way down to the sales pavilion only hours after winning his maiden at the track a few hours earlier. Summer Anthem (Temple City) was offered by Gainesway, agent, as hip 104, and was snapped up by Kirk Wycoff's Three Diamonds Farm for $150,000 to continue his career. The 3-year-old gelding proved a tenacious winner of Friday's fourth race in a meet-fastest clocking for the 8 1/2-furlongs on turf.

Other offerings to have won during the meet and sold Friday were the I.C. Racing-consigned Shannon (Nyquist) (hip 100), who broke her maiden at 24-1 in an Apr. 22 turf sprint and was purchased for $240,000 by Hidden Brook, agent; and Atras (Astern {Aus}) (hip 102), a 3-year-old gelding who graduated by 2 1/2 lengths in an Apr. 23 turf sprint and fetched $150,000 from Clay Scherer.

As reported earlier, a share in Airdrie Stud's Upstart sold for $450,000 as the final hip up for bidding.

For the single-session auction, a total of 58 horses were reported as sold for $5,349,000, good for an average of $92,224 and a median price of $50,000. The 2021 event saw 37 horses sell for $2,440,000 for an average of $65,946 and a $45,000 median.

“From start to finish of the sale, the energy was strong and the enthusiasm at every level was really encouraging,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Joining the race meet and sale and having them on one day really, really worked. The atmosphere was incredible with a real buzz. That's something we want to replicate and build on not just for the April Sale, but all sales moving forward.”

Added Keeneland's Director of Sales Cormac Breathnach: “It's so important to us to have the brick-and-mortar event built around the race meet and have the support we got up front from so many consignors and owners with really good horses. That first group–the 73 horses that were initially entered–really turned heads. We are incredibly grateful to them. That feeds into the race meet, and people see a chance to cash in or a chance to buy. And to be able to accommodate those horses that had run well during the meet in the sale showed our flexibility. To see it all come together is very rewarding.”

Keeneland will welcome buyers and sellers back to Lexington for its benchmark September Yearling Sale Sept. 12-23.

The post Acting Out Tops Keeneland April HORA Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

There are currently four variants circulating in the United States; Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Gamma, with Delta making up over 99% of all cases.

It seems like every day, someone we know in racing has contracted Covid, from trainer Todd Pletcher to the TDN's own Christina Bossinakis, and many of the people surveyed below. At no time is the demand to travel and circulate with others for our jobs in racing greater than it is for the fall sales period.

The TDN talked to a number of buyers and consignors about how they feel about traveling to the sales, what precautions they'll take, and what sales companies can do to make them feel safe.

We start off our conversation with Keeneland's President and CEO Shannon Arvin, who talked about sales protocols.

Shannon Arvin
First and foremost, the health and safety of our clients, staff and equine stock is Keeneland's primary focus. COVID-19 has presented us with many challenges these past 18 months, but by working together, we have successfully navigated a constantly changing world to create a stable and steady market. And I believe we will do that again this fall sales and racing season.
Looking ahead to the September Yearling Sale, Keeneland will follow the guidance of health and government experts to create the safest environment possible for our sales participants. And just like last year, we ask for the continued support and cooperation of our customers and their staffs.

Shannon Arvin | Keeneland photo

We strongly encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so. Vaccination offers the best protection possible from COVID-19.

Most of us are extremely aware of the risk presented by COVID-19 and take the proper precautions where necessary.

At Keeneland, we have reinstated a mask mandate for all employees, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, while working indoors. Our unvaccinated employees are required to be tested weekly.

Consistent with current CDC guidelines, we strongly recommend that all sales participants wear a mask when indoors. This is an added layer of defense that keeps you and those you come in contact with safe.

Our facilities at Keeneland will undergo a deep cleaning following each sales session, and we've located hand sanitizing stations throughout the Sales Pavilion and grounds.

We also will continue to offer online bidding and phone bidding for buyers unable to attend the September Sale in person.

The Keeneland team looks forward to welcoming our friends and customers from around the world to Central Kentucky this fall. A silver lining of the pandemic is the resiliency and optimism of horsemen that always seem to carry the industry through challenging times. We are confident the market will continue to be buoyed by enthusiasm at the sales and a keen passion for racing.

Price Bell, Mill Ridge
I'm so glad you all are doing this story on the vaccine and protocols. I think it's important. Considering that last year Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton conducted multiple sales, and quite frankly kept our industry going, I know we can stay safe through this sales season as well. I think the key is keeping activity inside limited and being respectful of people and the variant.

Price Bell | Mill Ridge photo

I'm vaccinated, and look forward to the booster. I will wear a mask indoors and in the back ring, where I hope it is crowded. I do feel comfortable going because I thought they did a phenomenal job last year. They created a wonderful environment to conduct business utilizing so much of their outdoor space and I would expect they do something similar this year. I think we have learned from our friends who got sick in Saratoga that the vaccine is not bulletproof and the variant is real.

As for our team, we have worked hard to make everyone aware of the benefits of the vaccine and nearly every team member has been vaccinated. We will provide masks to co-workers and opportunities for us to not gather in the tack/warm rooms.

Liz Crow, BSW Bloodstock
I will feel comfortable but I will also be a little hesitant because I have a 6-month-old baby who is not vaccinated. My concern is always how can I keep her safe. For that reason, I will be a little nervous. I will be wearing a mask and will be careful. I will probably only wear the mask when I am inside. When I look at horses, I generally am not super close to a lot of people except for my team. They are all fully vaccinated, which makes me feel safer.

As for protocols, that's above my paygrade so far as all the thought that has to go into that. I do think there should be a mask mandate for inside. That's probably the right thing to do.

Justin Casse
I won't mind going. I've gotten my vaccinations. I had Covid and I got it when I was in Newmarket last year for the yearling sales. Covid changed my life in regards to the amount of traveling I want to do. To be honest with you, my time at horse sales going forward is going to be less than usual. In regards to fear of getting the disease, that's not on my mind. But so far a what it has done to me and my values in life, it's made me step back and look at what might be more important. I want to spend more time enjoying life and my family.

I won't wear a mask unless prompted and told to do so.

I know it's a pain in the butt, but I do feel that proof of vaccination is nice and if not proof of vaccination then you should have to show that you have tested negative. It should be one of the two. I went to the Grateful Dead concert in Saratoga last week and to get into the area of the pit you had to show that you had been vaccinated. To get into the concert, you had to have a negative test or the vaccination. That's like 20,000 people in an outdoor setting and they did their best to make sure that we were at event that would not turn into a super spreader event.

Jon Green | Courtesy DJ Stables

Jon Green, General Manager, DJ Stables
I personally attended the Saratoga sale and was surprised more people were not wearing masks, especially inside the sales pavilion. The number of people who caught some type of illness directly stemming from the sales and/or races was not surprising in my mind–COVID in particular is just that contagious. Since my parents are older, and more susceptible to the negative consequences of any virus, we have opted not to attend the September Sales. Like last year, we have assembled a great team of short listers, trainers and veterinarians to provide us with the information required to make our decisions from afar. Keeneland has done an outstanding job of establishing and improving their digital platform, and we have the utmost confidence bidding on their site. Hopefully the CDC figures will improve over the coming weeks so we can return to Kentucky in November.

J.R. Boyd
I feel very comfortable because I had COVID and I have the antibodies and according to the doctors the antibodies last up to 90 days. I got it at the very end of July. The doctors and nurses told me that 99% of the people in the hospital were not vaccinated and I was not vaccinated either. I definitely regret not getting vaccinated. My wife had it about six months before I did and I was around her the whole time and I never caught it. It's not that I was against the vaccination. I just thought I didn't need it. That was a mistake.

I worry that there's not a lot anyone can do. If you're going to get it you're going to get it. I won't say that I won't go inside the pavilion, but I'm going to try to keep my distance from other people. Everyone should definitely have the Germ-X sanitizer in their pockets and should keep their distance when they can. Having said that, I would feel more comfortable if everyone were vaccinated.

I don't plan on wearing a mask. That's because every doctor has told me I have full-blown antibodies and for 90 days I cannot get COVID and I cannot carry it. I don't feel like I can receive it or give it to anyone. If they want me to wear a mask in certain areas, I will not mind. I'm not against masks by any means.

Doug Cauthen
I feel comfortable going to the sale. I will take precautions like trying to keep my distance from others. Thankfully, most of it takes place outdoors. I won't be going inside the pavilion unless people are masked.

Masking indoors is a no-brainer. We've seen how well that woks and it especially works when everybody does it. I'll definitely wear a mask indoors. When I'm out looking at horses I'll probably have one around my neck and if somebody comes up to me I'll pull it up and talk to them. Thankfully, I am vaccinated. I know I can still get COVID, but my preference is obviously to not get sick.

Meg Levy, Bluewater Sales
Mike and I actually just got over Covid. We both had been vaccinated. We were in Saratoga and the Delta variant was going around, we got it and we're over it and we've been re-vaccinated. Personally, I will feel comfortable.

Meg LEvy | Bluewater Sales

I just assumed they were going to go back to protocols similar to what they did last fall when they had badges and temperature checks. That seemed to be easy and seemed to go well.

I will wear a mask when I am near people. I think that's only fair the best way to keep others safe. I'm not worried about myself, but it's kind to do the right thing when it comes to others.

Pete Bradley
I feel comfortable going because I have been vaccinated. At this point, life is going on in the world. Going to the sale wouldn't bother me any more than going to a restaurant. I wear masks indoors and usually outdoors I don't.

I see no reason not to wear masks, especially in indoor situations. That's me personally. Outdoors, I don't think it really helps. I don't know how much a mask helps, but it certainly can't hurt.

Craig Bandoroff, Denali Stud
I feel comfortable going. I am vaccinated and if I can get the booster before the sale I will. On protocols, that's a tricky one. What I have been seeing at various places is that when you go inside you have to wear a mask. I don't think that's unreasonable. If you're going to be inside the pavilion, perhaps you should have to wear a mask, that is unless things start to change.

I don't think I will wear a mask outside. But I am 66 and in a more vulnerable group, so I probably will wear a mask inside. I understand it's hard to get into the country and the Japanese have either had a hard time coming or are reluctant to come. They are a big part of our market. It will be disconcerting if they don't or can't come.

Conrad Bandoroff, Denali Stud
We're doing some simple things that we started last year. We made some changes that we thought would help. As far as protecting our staff, most of our staff have been vaccinated. There's going to be one person responsible for taking down someone's card and rather than have a buyer or agent fill out a card there will be somebody there to do that. That way you'll have fewer touch points. Most likely, we will not be requiring our staff to wear masks, but we will have masks available for our crew if they chose to wear one. Our feeling is that we are outside.

The post Buyers, Sellers, Sales Companies Talk COVID-19 and the Fall Sales appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post