Editor’s Message
There is no doubt that 2020 will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, with very few completely unaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic that has wreaked havoc across the world.
In March, it seemed like racing was just a heartbeat away from shutting down, right in the middle of the lucrative autumn carnival. When New Zealand went into lockdown racing came to a halt, just as it did right across Europe, and it seemed only a matter of time before Australia followed suit.
I must admit that I thought it was a foregone conclusion and that racing’s luck could only hold for so long.
To the eternal credit of participants, administrators and organisations within the industry, the wheels kept turning. The Championships in Sydney went off without a hitch, with the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale operating as an online auction.
Sure, it wasn’t an ideal scenario, but the show marched on. It was one time I was proud to wear egg on my face.
As the year progressed, new challenges emerged; each time, the industry rose to the occasion. And so, as we head towards a Christmas unlike most others, it is a time to reflect not just on how brutal a year it has been, but also on the resilience of us all.
On behalf of the team at ANZ Bloodstock News, I want to wish all of you – our loyal readers – and your families and friends a very Merry Christmas. We have been proud to produce our daily publication every day throughout the year, even as Covid-19 caused significant changes to our operations. It would not have been possible without your support.
In our last edition of 2020, we take a look at the highs and lows of the year that was, bring you two of ANZ’s most beloved features – Trevor Marshallsea’s It’s In The Blood and the Maiden of the Week – and also give a little insight into how the Maiden of the Week is chosen each time.
As Santa makes his trek from the North Pole, ANZ Bloodstock News will take a seven-day break as the team recharges ahead of the fast-approaching sales season.
We look forward to appearing in your inbox every morning again from New Year’s Day.