As the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney evolves, the bloodstock industry is following reactions by Queensland officials closely to determine how plans may need to be adapted ahead of the Magics Millions Sale which begins on January 12.
Border closures have been swift from each state, with Sydney travellers banned from entering Queensland without spending two weeks outside the hotspot region.
Many buyers have already conducted on-farm inspections throughout New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, and with many horses not departing for the Gold Coast until the end of the month, there is still a window of opportunity for additional parades to take place.
In a nutshell
The Northern Beaches region of Sydney (north of Spit Bridge) is currently in full lockdown until midnight Wednesday, December 23, at which point it will be reassessed.
As of 1am AEDT Monday, December 21, the Greater Sydney region will be classed as a COVID-19 hotspot.
The Queensland, South Australian and Victorian borders are closed to anyone who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days, or since the hotspot was declared (whichever is shorter).
Those in NSW located outside a hotspot can travel to Queensland or Victoria normally, after completing a Border Declaration Pass.
Those who have been, or are currently located, in a hotspot, will need to spend 14 days outside the hotspot and complete a Border Declaration Pass to be allowed into Queensland or Victoria.
Greg and Jo Griffin, Lime Country Thoroughbreds
Nervous wait
Jo Griffin, whose Lime Country operation sits just an hour and a half outside of central Sydney, told TDN AusNZ on Sunday afternoon that it was simply a matter of waiting, hoping and adjusting plans as required.
“All we can do is sit tight for now,” she said. “Come Tuesday morning I think we might have a better idea of where things stand, so we’ll wait and see what happens between now and then.
“Of course, our very strong preference would be to physically go up to the Gold Coast for the Sale. Obviously it would be a big blow if buyers from central Sydney are unable to get up there, but even if that’s the case, people can go there from every other state in Australia, as well as regional New South Wales. That’s going to be extremely valuable for that buying bench up there on the Gold Coast.
"We’ve had so many on-farm parades this year, and we’ve been gearing up for a big Sale." - Jo Griffin
“It’s an anxious time. We’ve had so many on-farm parades this year, and we’ve been gearing up for a big Sale. We definitely want to be heading up there this year if it’s at all possible, rather than whatever the alternatives might be."
Bhima Thoroughbreds
On-farm inspections popular
Bhima Thoroughbreds' Mike Fleming was confident that the number of inspections conducted on-farm over the last several weeks meant a lot of the major central-Sydney based buyers had already physically inspected many yearlings in the catalogue.
"We've been flat-out the last few weeks with on-farm parades, probably the busiest ever before a Magic Millions Sale," Fleming said. "The biggest challenge has been keeping groups small so that individuals can have a proper look at each horse.
"Given that we're still over 10 days from departing for the Gold Coast, there is still ample time to inspect the drafts on-farm.
"We also make a special effort to provide comprehensive information and thorough videos so due diligence can be completed from afar. As per every sale, each yearling will have interactive 360 videos, full background information, ownership, x-ray and scope reports and pedigree reports available freely for buyers."
"We also make a special effort to provide comprehensive information and thorough videos so due diligence can be completed from afar." - Mike Fleming
Fleming was confident the team at Magic Millions and the adaptability of the industry would ensure the latest COVID-challenge would not pose too much of an issue.
"We've shown before, and will again, that we are a resilient industry that can adapt to evolving situations. It’s just a matter of waiting for now and seeing what happens over the next few days.
"Magic Millions will be working very hard to help ensure the Sale proceeds as smoothly as possible for vendors and buyers alike, no matter what curveball is thrown their way."
NSW-vendor locations
| Hunter Valley | 640 |
| South NSW | 87 |
| Southern Highlands | 56 |
| New England | 53 |
| Central Coast | 37 |
| Central West | 26 |
| Mid-North Coast | 20 |
| Greater Sydney | 17 |
Total: 946
Other vendor locations
| Queensland | 228 |
| Victoria | 84 |
| South Australia | 15 |
Total: 327
