Due to COVID-19, Gulfstream and Keeneland cancel sales

Fasig-Tipton and The Stronach Group have canceled the upcoming Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training in response to the ongoing COVID-19, or coronavirus, pandemic.

The sale had been scheduled for April 1 in Hallandale Beach, Fla., with this decision following Gulfstream Park's precautionary announcement late Thursday that the racetrack will conduct live racing without spectators, indefinitely, including through the March 28 Florida Derby (G1).

"While disappointing, canceling the Gulfstream Sale is the most prudent and responsible decision we can make in light of the rapidly changing circumstances associated with COVID-19," said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning.  "With the facility closures at Gulfstream, it prevents us from conducting the auction. The health and welfare of all sale participants, both human and equine, is always our highest priority."

"Difficult times call for difficult decisions, but this one was relatively easy," said Aidan Butler, chief strategy officer at The Stronach Group. "For the health and safety of our horsemen and women, facility access is limited to essential personnel to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19. We are grateful to our partners at Fasig-Tipton for understanding these unique circumstances and look forward to hosting sales in the future."

Fasig-Tipton's contingency plan is to add the horses catalogued for The Gulfstream Sale into the company's Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, currently scheduled for May 18-19 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Md. Fasig-Tipton also plans to add a second Midlantic auction in late June at that same facility to provide an additional sale venue for horses, consignors, and buyers.

"This is certainly a unique set of circumstances, but we will always strive to make the best decisions that we can for the marketplace and our customers," added Browning.

On Thursday, Keeneland made a similar move to cancel the 2020 April Two-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale scheduled for April 7.

“While our horsemen and fans are certainly disappointed about us having to take these measures, it is critical to protect the health and safety of our patrons, employees and participants from the spread of COVID-19,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “We take our responsibility to the community and the horse industry seriously and we will continue to work in partnership with government authorities.”