In light of the challenges of getting in overseas purchasers, Tattersalls Ireland will postpone its May and July Store Sales to Aug. 10 and 11, with the August National Hunt Sale following on Aug. 12.
The decision follows consultation with vendors and purchasers and is in reaction to the concern that overseas purchasers, in particular those from the UK, will be unable to visit Ireland without quarantine until July 19, as per the latest guidance from the Irish government. Tattersalls Ireland had facilitated about 100 buyers from the UK to visit this week's Derby Sale in a quarantine bubble, only to be informed by the authorities on the morning of the sale that the visitors would not be permitted to attend.
Tattersalls Ireland Chief Executive Officer Simon Kerins said, “In light of the enormous challenges faced this week with our loyal UK purchasers being informed at the 11th hour that they were not permitted to attend the Derby Sale, we have made the decision to move the May and July Store Sale to August. We feel that it is not in the best interests of our vendors or purchasers who have supported us with a quality selection of store horses to proceed with a sale in just over two weeks' time.
“It is expected that from July 19 the Irish Government will launch the EU's Covid-19 digital passport that aims to facilitate the movement of people within the EU and from that date, Ireland will also broadly align itself to the EU approach to non-essential travel into the EU from third countries such as the UK. Specifically, from that date, if a passenger has valid proof of vaccination, no travel-related testing or quarantine will be necessary. The Covid-19 landscape is fluid and constantly changing but it is of the utmost importance to us that there is no barrier for any purchaser coming to the sale, and we feel that can be best achieved by waiting for the changes above to come into effect.”
With regards to the company's flagship flat sale, the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, Kerins added, “A decision on the location of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale will be made early next week and we will continue to discuss all aspects of this with key stakeholders over the coming days before making a definitive decision.”
Last year's September Yearling Sale was staged in Newmarket.
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