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Goffs sale to be held at Park Paddocks while the Sportsman’s Sale to stay in Ireland
The 2021 Goffs Orby Sale will be held at Tattersalls’ Park Paddocks in Newmarket earlier than originally scheduled, from Friday 24to Sunday 26 September.
The move follows agreement between Goffs and Tattersalls, and comes after the UK buyers ‘bubble’ was withdrawn on the eve of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale last week. The sale format will comprise two evening sessions after racing at Newmarket on Friday 24 and Saturday 25, followed by a day of selling on Sunday 26 September.
The Goffs Sportsman’s Sale which traditionally follows on from the Orby Sale will be held in Ireland from November 1- 2 in conjunction with the Goffs Autumn Yearling and HIT Sale.
Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby said: “In 2020 we took a later decision to move Orby to our UK sales complex in Doncaster but it is well known that the results were disappointing to say the least and potential Orby vendors have made it clear that is not an option that would be embraced.
“Therefore, we feel it is in the best interests of Irish vendors selling in Orby to clearly state that the sale will be held in Newmarket in conjunction with some top class racing, as we cannot confidently deliver overseas buyers to Kildare making it impossible for us to properly promote our world class catalogue to an international audience.
“In many ways this is a disappointing move to have to make but we feel we have been left with no choice by recent events as yearling vendors need certainty given the value of the yearlings we are asking them to commit to Orby. Our fervent hope and belief is that we will be back in Kildare Paddocks for Orby 22 as the Irish National Yearling Sale belongs in Ireland.
“At this point I would like to thank Edmond Mahony and his Tattersalls’ colleagues for giving us the option to essentially rent Park Paddocks and accommodate what is a competitor sale.
“The last 18 months have required all of us to work together in ways we could never have imagined and, whilst there has been plenty of mutually beneficial cooperation and give and take, this is a step further than anything else. We do not underestimate the magnitude of this generous gesture.”