Woodkirk Stone
Online blood sales are likely to be a feature of post-Covid activity, racehorse auctioneer Tattersalls Ireland predicts.
The company’s operations made a profit of €234,000 in the 12 months ended June 30, 2021, compared to a loss of €1.3 million the previous year, according to its latest accounts.
A deferred tax charge, linked to the revaluation of certain assets, left the company with a loss of €83,000 over the period to the end of last June.
Roger Casey, chief financial officer, said the Covid-19 lockdowns forced the business to cancel, postpone or move some sales to Britain during the 12-month period.
Tattersalls Ireland has also held online sales, a move Mr Casey says could now become a regular feature of the blood auction.
“It’s more likely to be horses ready to race, horses in training, where the form is established, and there’s less need to see them and physically inspect them,” he said.
Covid curbs
Mr Casey added that the industry as a whole had considered switching to some online sales before Covid restrictions disrupted the sector, as well as many others, over the past two years.
He acknowledged that the pandemic had “significantly disrupted” the operations of auctioneer Ratoath, Co Meath.
The group received €322,890 in Covid wage aid from the state during the year. Staff reduced from 25 to 26.
Mr Casey said wage supports were “very important to us” as they were to many companies.
Tattersalls hold auctions throughout the year, selling horses to race both on the flat and over jumps.
Previous sales
Two horses sold at previous sales, Constitution Hill and Shishkin, both won first-year races – the highest level – on jumps in Britain for trainer Nicky Henderson.
Both are now top fantasies for further honors at the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival in March.
Locally, another Tattersalls Ireland sale, Longhouse Poet, won the prestigious Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park, Co Kilkenny, for trainer Martin Brassil and Balymore owners boss Sean Mulryan and his wife Bernadine.
Tattersalls Ireland had net assets of nearly €11.8 million at June 30, €400,000 more than 12 months earlier.