GOFFS UK and Arqana are joining forces to hold both their Breeze-Up Sales in Ireland on revised dates at the end of June.

The Two-Year-Olds will work at Naas Racecourse by vendor, potentially in a timed breeze a few days before being offered at Goffs Kildare Paddocks on June 29th and 30th.

The dates are dependent on the resumption of racing in some form in the UK and/or France and/or Ireland, and hopefully allow time for lockdown measures to be relaxed so that there can be some attendance at the sale while the proximity of and arrangements for other European breeze-ups will also be considered to ensure the optimum dates for everyone involved.

Naturally all Government directives will be followed to ensure the safety and well-being of each person attending.

The extended gap between breeze and sale will allow films of the breeze-up work, and other vital purchaser information, to be disseminated around the world while an online platform will support the live auction with potential purchasers being offered the facility to bid as normal, over the telephone or remotely via the Arqana and Goffs websites.

The sales have been diverted to Ireland as 143 of the 165 Goffs UK lots and a further 135 lots in the Arqana sale are from Irish vendors so the move allows for the necessary time lag between breeze and sale.

Both companies will ensure that adequate provision is made for their UK and French based entries to be accommodated.

Catalogues online

Commenting on the latest developments, Arqana Executive Director, Freddy Powell and Goffs UK Managing Director, Tim Kent said: “We are committed to providing the most vibrant marketplace possible for our Breeze-Up vendors and believe that this option delivers the best chance of achieving that goal. This year’s selection of breezers in both catalogues is as good as ever and we are confident they will impress in any arena.”

Both catalogues are currently online and, while the two-year-olds will breeze by vendor to meet social distancing protocols that are likely to be in place, the sale will be conducted by a combination of the Goffs and Arqana teams in the existing catalogue order.

Revised conditions of sale applicable to both catalogues to reflect that the sales are being held in Ireland will be produced and additional information relating to the breeze-up work, veterinary examinations etc. will be provided in advance of the sale.

Goffs Group Chief Executive, Henry Beeby and Eric Hoyeau, Arqana President believe that this move demonstrates an industry pulling together at a crucial time, saying: “We are extremely grateful to Naas Racecourse, HRI and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing for their helpful and proactive reaction to our request to hold our Breeze-Ups in Ireland.

"These are challenging times but the bloodstock industry is constantly willing to adapt and innovate to whatever circumstances arise. In connection with our joint approach, Goffs and Arqana have always been closely allied and we will work as one to ensure we do our best by our loyal vendors.”

Further information and updates will be provided as it becomes available.

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