One of the biggest racehorse sales events in Ireland has been postponed just five days before the auction was due to begin.
Next week's Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale has been provisionally rescheduled for Fairyhouse Racecourse on August 11-13.
But Covid-19 related travel restrictions could see the money-spinning event moved to a British venue
Tattersalls Ireland chief executive Matt Mitchell said: "Despite every effort being made to give all the normal participants an opportunity to attend the sales next week it became clear during the course of yesterday that the current obstacles in our way are insurmountable.
"It was reconfirmed that all attendees; be they vendors, purchasers or employees who were due to arrive in Ireland from the UK are required to self-isolate for 14 days without exception and therefore their attendance at the sale would not be possible.
"The extremely difficult decision to postpone the Derby and May Sales has been made in the context of the unprecedented and unpredictable Covid-19 related circumstances and in the best interests of our vendors, purchasers and staff.
"We are very conscious of the impact that this decision will have on our valued clients, but we are also at all times mindful of our wider social responsibilities and the prevailing government guidelines."
Last year's Derby Sale saw 338 horses sold in the sales ring for a grand turnover €17,093,500, and this year 466 thoroughbreds were set to go under the hammer.
Fairyhouse was also set to host the rescheduled May Sale on Thursday that had a further 234 horses entered in the catalogue.
Cheltenham Festival winners including Honeysuckle, Monkfish and Shishkin have all been purchased at the sales event in recent years.
But there are now fears that Tattersalls will be forced to move the lucrative event across the Irish Sea.
Mitchell added: "Many businesses in Ireland who are dependent on international customers have faced the very same issues and we will continue to explore every avenue that will allow sales to take place in Ireland as soon as the current restrictions have been eased.
"We must all hope that the outlook improves, and at this stage it is our intention to hold our flagship Derby and May Store Sales in Ireland on Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 August as our first preference, or in the UK on those dates if necessary.
"Revised dates for the August National Hunt Sale will be announced in due course."
