Inglis released a statement on Monday confirming it still planned to progress with the sale, albeit in a restricted environment, on April 7 and April 8 at the Riverside Stables.

"The Coronavirus situation the world is facing is an extremely challenging one for everybody, including the racing and breeding industry," Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said.

"We are extremely respectful of the Government protocols and procedures that have already been put in place surrounding gatherings of people in public places, and future ones that will most likely eventuate.

"The safety of our clients and staff is paramount and as such we will strictly abide by all State and Federally-enforced guidelines in regards to COVID-19.

"At this stage, based on Government guidelines, the Easter Yearling Sale will be restricted to 500 people on site at any one time and will be an invitation only event.

"To remain under 500 persons in attendance each day, restrictions will obviously be required. We will continue to work with Government officials, health experts and our clients to determine the most practical way to conduct the sale and achieve optimum results for our vendors and buyers. "

Inglis confirmed that it will utilise its technological assets to maintaining the global marketplace for the sale and will assist international buyers to participate from afar.

"Our online bidding services have now been in use for 10 years and are very robust and easy to use and I have no doubt they will be of great benefit to everyone involved in this sale," Webster said.

"On-farm yearling inspections in the Hunter Valley and around Australia are taking place as normal and we encourage all prospective buyers and agents to see as many of the yearlings as possible prior to the official start of Riverside inspections on Wednesday April 1."

"This will not only assist in buyers’ preparations but also help ease any strain on capacities at Riverside in the lead-up to the sale.

"This is an ever-evolving situation and we will provide further updates in coming days."

Sandblom poses Sale solution

One industry figure offering his thoughts on a possible format for the Easter Sale was Matthew Sandblom, who holds substantial ownership interests and is an investor in both Newgate and Kingstar Farm.

Sandblom tweeted a five-step plan of how the sale could be conducted remotely, utilising Inglis' digital sales platform plus on-farm inspections.

Speaking to TDN AusNZ, Sandblom said it was vital to be ahead of the game in planning, with restrictions on public gatherings likely to get tighter in the coming weeks.

"You can't look at where we are now, you have to look at where we're going to be in a couple of weeks and I can’t see them allowing events of that size to take place in a couple of weeks," he said.

"We only have to look overseas to see what is happening. The restrictions are going to get tighter and tighter. Whatever last week's restrictions are going to be more restrictive in two weeks' time."

Sandblom said Inglis and the rest of the industry were in a very difficult situation and the timing of the sale was important enough to not warrant it being pushed back.

"It is very hard to put off an event like this, I agree.

"The horses do need to get on with their breaking in and training. What I'm proposing is not perfect, but it’s getting to the point where it's this choice or something along these lines. It's going to be very difficult to see it take place at Inglis. I know they would like it to but the trend is not their friend at this point," he said.

Sandblom felt the effect of having no sale could prove disastrous for medium and smaller vendors.

"There may be some deep-pocketed players who could ride it out, but the medium to small level farms, this is probably their biggest payday of the year. There is not a lot of margin to play with," he said.

"They do need this sale to take place in the time it takes place. Yes prices will be down because people are worrying about a lot other things besides buying horses, but the serious buyers are going to buy and people want to trade.

"At least there is an avenue to do it. A decent numbers of horses can get sold at a reasonable price and we can cope the best we can with horses that aren't sold."

Kiwis impacted, Mulcaster still attending

Border controls between Australia and New Zealand to contain the spread of the coronarivus (COVID-19) will impact on the buying bench at Inglis’ Australian Easter Yearling Sale with a number of Kiwis cancelling flights.

The 14-day isolation rules on arrival in Australia and on return will see less New Zealand activity at the Sydney Easter Sale with a number of intended purchasers changing plans and won’t be in attendance.

However, it will be business as usual for the Cambridge-based Guy Mulcaster, and to a lesser degree for Matamata bloodstock agent Ric Wylie.

Mulcaster, a chief advisor to champion trainer Chris Waller, was already in Australia when the border restrictions were announced and he will again be active in the market.

“I’ve been over here for three weeks, there have been sales every week so we’re really lucky and we’ll just carry on,” he said. “We obviously didn’t see this coming and it could still get worse yet, but at this stage we will be buying.”

Wylie serves a number of international clients and would still be active if required, but from his home base.

“It’s not necessarily the restrictions on me, but under the circumstances my client base won’t be there and I won’t be going,” he said.

“The technology is very good and I have faith in the contacts I have in Sydney. In a perfect world you don’t want to use anybody’s eyes but your own.

"However, in this situation, if I was asked to purchase I have people in Australia that I trust and look at a horse in a very similar way. It is a unique circumstance and we have to find a unique answer.”

Racing NSW, ATC confirm lockouts

With the Australian Federal Government implementing a ban of gatherings of 500 people from Monday, Racing NSW put out a statement confirming all thoroughbred race meetings, barrier trials and trackwork (including access to licensed training stables) in New South Wales will not be open to the public (including owners), effective immediately and until further notice.

There will be no on-course wagering facilities available and essential personnel will be required to leave the racecourse after their horses have run.

The Australian Turf Club also confirmed Wednesday’s meeting at Royal Randwick and Saturday’s Longines Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill Gardens will be spectator free.

Both sites will be in full lockdown with ATC security staff to check and allow only essential licensed and accredited, and approved, racing participants entry to the racecourses.

"The Australian Turf Club’s top priority is everyone’s health and wellbeing, particularly industry participants," the statement read.

Upcoming picnic meetings at Cootamundra, Tullibigeal and Ardlethan have been abandoned.

Jockeys face restrictions

With Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews imposing a state of emergency on Monday, Racing Victoria has confirmed that all meetings up until April 13 will proceed as programmed with only licensed jockeys, licensed trainers, registered stable staff of trainers with runners engaged, raceday officials and staff, and broadcasters and media to attend.

All permitted attendees at a Victorian race meeting will be subject to temperature checks by medical staff at the entrance to the racecourse. Those displaying a temperature of 37.6 or above will not be permitted to enter and/or compete.

Interstate jockeys will only be permitted to compete within Victoria if they travel to the state by private vehicle or charter flight, while similarly Victorian jockeys who ride at an interstate race meeting will only be permitted to compete within Victoria if they have travelled to and from the interstate race meeting by private vehicle and/or charter flight.

RV also confirmed that the remaining five picnic race meetings for the 2019-20 racing season have been abandoned.

“In light of the declaration of a State of Emergency within Victoria, we can now confirm that no crowds will be permitted at our race meetings for at least the next four weeks," Racing Victoria CEO Giles Thompson said.

“A decision on our meetings after 13 April will be made in the coming weeks as the situation evolves, and more timely information is available from the Government and health authorities."

RQ shuts gates on public

Racing Queensland has also announced that meetings in that state will be held crowd-free for the foreseeable future.

Access will not be permitted to the general public in any code, nor owners or on-course wagering providers.

“We are experiencing a unique and complex situation which requires Racing Queensland to adopt a uniform approach,” RQ CEO Brendan Parnell said.

“The health and safety of our 40,000 participants, including those who are employed in the industry, remains our top-priority and we will continue to work with our clubs, QRIC and participants to navigate this period.

“We are mindful of the carnivals we have on the horizon - and the impact that this decision may have on our clubs – but it is important that we restrict on-course access in the short-term to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 and the potential impact to our industry.”

MRC ready for Mornington

The Melbourne Racing Club is confident it will still be to conduct its Mornington Cup meeting this Saturday within the Federal Government guidelines, but chief executive Josh Blanksby confirmed the club would take a financial hit.

“We have moved the spectator free racing, which is the requirement now. We successfully did that on Saturday with 350 people that was all that was required to run the meeting,” Blanksby told Racing.com.

“We are very confident we can do that (again for Mornington). Obviously it’s hugely disappointing for the community of Mornington, it’s a flagship race day for the race club there and the area.”

Stables testing for temperatures

Two major racing stables in Victoria have confirmed they are introducing temperature testing for staff to help detect possible cases of coronavirus.

The Lindsay Park operation of David Hayes, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig have purchased equipment to monitor staff for signs of fever.

"We’ve just bought the equipment today and we’ll told all the staff that they have be temperature tested when they come in," David Hayes told Racing.com.

"And, we’re praying nothing happens."

Ciaron Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, confirmed similar protocols were being put in place at his stables.

UK Racing to review coronavirus plan

UK racing’s leadership, including racecourses, participants and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), will meet to discuss the sport’s coronavirus plan going forward.

In the immediate future, race meetings will likely be held without spectators through at least the end of March and the UK fixture list will also be under discussion. The goal of the meeting is to agree on a programme that is sustainable in the light of possible staff absences, including in critical roles, while protecting the industry’s workforce and freeing up critical public services.

“Racing has worked hard to look after our customers and our staff by following the government’s guidance and taking proportionate action,” said BHA Chief Executive Nick Rust. “We will agree plans to limit attendance to participants and staff only at race meetings from this week and put in place the contingency plans developed by the industry.”

US lockouts rolls on

Several track in the US confirmed they will be out spectators for the foreseeable future.

Keeneland issued a statement that it will prevent entry to all non-essential guests and horsemen. Only essential employees, owners, trainers, veterinarians, blacksmiths and stable workers will be allowed entry.

It will set up checkpoints, involving temperature checks to monitor those entering he complex.

Tampa Bay Downs also joined the list beginning with its eight-race card on Wednesday.

Tracks in Florida, California, New York, Kentucky, Arkansas and Texas are racing without patrons. It was also announced that the Mar. 28 G1 Dubai World Cup card will be run without spectators.

Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, Indiana Grand Racing & Casino and Winner’s Circle Race, Sports, Pub locations in Downtown Indianapolis, New Haven and Clarksville, Indiana will be closing for at least 14 days.

The Indiana Gaming and Indiana Horse Racing Commissions also announced that all licensed gaming and racing operations in Indiana will close from Monday.

“There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Caesars Entertainment’s Indiana gaming and racing properties to date. This decision is a precautionary measure,” Caesars Entertainment said in a statement. “The health and safety of our team members and guests are always a priority. Caesars Entertainment’s Indiana properties are closely monitoring this evolving situation and will work with the Indiana Gaming and Indiana Horse Racing Commissions to establish a reopening date as soon as it is appropriate to do so. We look forward to welcoming back team members and guests soon.”

Apprentice series on hold

The next leg of the National Apprentice Race Series at Doomben has been abandoned.

The $45,000 Benchmark 68 will remain on Wednesday's program as scheduled and will now be conducted under standard conditions.

A Racing Queensland spokesperson said a decision on the future of the 2020 Series was expected to be determined later this week.

The series involves apprentices from all states except NSW as well as New Zealand and Singapore.