TATTERSALLS IRELAND ANNOUNCES NEW AND REVOLUTIONARY SALES INITIATIVE – “BIDPOINT”
The facility allows anyone entering a horse in a point-to-point to indicate that their horse is open to accepting bids. Tattersalls Ireland will then market the horse with a view to attracting bids online, and ultimately securing a sale under conditions of a sale that are similar to a sales ring transaction.
This is a departure from the normal sales day environment but displays the ability of Tattersalls Ireland to progress into new spaces when required. Online activity has grown in many industries and, with the Irish point-to-pointer being in such demand; this seems the obvious place to launch such an initiative.
Among the many benefits of this new service is that vendors can get involved for free, while bidders can remain anonymous until their bid has been accepted. The most innovative aspect of BIDPOINT is the return to the Hunt Committee of 1% of all sales generated from their meeting. These committees, which form the grass roots of National Hunt racing, have never before been able to benefit from staging races that see horses subsequently sold for considerable prices. Many go on to compete at the highest end of the National Hunt scale and such horses include Denman, Faugheen, Simonsig, Best Mate, to name just a few.
Tattersalls Ireland Managing Director Roger Casey said:
“BIDPOINT is a fantastic new initiative whereby vendors now have a simple and cost effective opportunity to promote their horses as available for sale to a wider Irish and UK market with the added protection of the Tattersalls Ireland Conditions of Sale and in a private and confidential way. Over 1,000 races in Ireland and the UK were won by former Irish Pointers in 2014 and prospective purchasers from far and wide will now be aware of exactly what form horses the market has to offer on a weekly basis and again can transact in a discrete and private manner. Uniquely and importantly, BIDPOINT will also benefit the Hunt Committees, as every hunt committee will benefit from the return of 1% of all sales generated from their meeting. We are excited about this new initiative and are confident that it has the potential to revolutionise the way business is done in the Irish Point to Point market place.”
Brian Kavanagh, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland said:
“The point to point field is a very strong source of national hunt talent. This initiative is an imaginative way of promoting sales and also benefitting the clubs that are running point to points and I wish it well”.
Donald McCain, Trainer and Purchaser at Point to Points said:
“I’m really looking forward to Tattersalls Ireland launching BIDPOINT. I’ve had great success with Irish Pointers over the years and this gives me as a buyer even better access to buying every type of horse. The way it is structured could really suit owners and it should ensure we are aware of what is for sale on a weekly basis”.
Denis Murphy, Point to Point Handler said:
"BIDPOINT is a great concept that is beneficial to all people involved. There’s simply no reason not to be part of it."
Josh Byrne of The Turf Club said:
“The importance of the Irish Point to Point industry is recognised by everyone in racing. BIDPOINT will serve to increase the profile of the industry to a wider audience and will reward the hunts and committees that are integral to the success of the sport”.
Vendors can first sign up for BIDPOINT through p2p.ie andcorkwaterfordp2p.com when entering horses for fixtures taking place on Saturday 28th February and Sunday March 1st. Prospective purchasers can view horses available for sale online as soon as entries are available on p2p.ie.