Tattersalls & Goffs Announce Start of Yearling Inspections

Tattersalls and Goffs have agreed to a set of safety protocols to be utilised on farms during upcoming yearlings inspections, the two sales companies announced in a joint statement on Thursday. These inspections will begin on May 18, as a phased return of outdoor workers will then be allowed by the British and Irish governments as the coronavirus restrictions ease. These safety protocols will be closely followed by both companies' inspection teams and comply with all government guidance related to social distancing, hand sanitation, and the wearing of appropriate PPE gear to ensure the safety and welfare of vendors, their staff and the sales company personnel. All vendors will receive details of these safety protocols in advance of visits by the inspection teams of Tattersalls, Tattersalls Ireland, Goffs and Goffs UK.

“The primary focus of Goffs and Tattersalls is the health and wellbeing of our clients and staff,” Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony and Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said in a joint statement. “In these challenging times, we have a particular duty of care to the farms that we visit and are following the advice and directives of the authorities in the UK and Ireland to provide a safe environment during inspections.

“Both bloodstock teams are looking forward to getting on the road for yearling visits as we continue to prepare for the autumn sales season.  This is a hugely enjoyable and important time in the yearling sale process and, we hope, a small step towards some degree of “normality” returning for our vendors and the wider industry.

“Notwithstanding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we both hope that the autumn sales calendar can follow the published dates, however we will closely monitor the situation and adapt with contingency plans if required.  We acknowledge the importance of the bloodstock industry coming together in difficult times, and the sales companies will continue to liaise and work in harmony where appropriate to provide the best opportunities to buy and sell Thoroughbred racehorses.”