Three stud farms opening doors this weekend

Three Westmeath stud farms are among a total of almost 40 across the country set to welcome visitors for the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) Irish Stallion Trail on Friday, January 12 and Saturday, January 13.

Intending visitors must register in advance of the two-day event, which provides breeders and racing fans with a unique opportunity to view an array of stallions across Ireland.

The three farms are Lemongrove Stud, Gaybrook, Mullingar, N91 R280, Starfield Stud, Ballynagall, Mullingar, N91 K8Y9, and Tally-Ho Stud, Tallyho, Mullingar.

Tally-Ho can be visited between 10am and 3pm on Friday only, and there will be an opportunity to view Cotai Glory, Good Guess, Inns of Court, Kodiac, Mehmas, Persion Force and Starman.

At Lemongrove, which is open both days 10am and 3pm, visitors can see Tosen Stardom, and at Starfield Stud, which is to be open both days between 11.30am and 3.30pm, on view will be Dubawi Legend, Far Above, Galileo Chrome, King of Change, Kuroshio and Smooth Daddy.

Tradition

Since its inception in 2014, the ITM Irish Stallion Trail has grown to now include a record 37 stallion farms and some 5,000 visitors are expected for this year’s event.

ITM CEO Charles O’Neill, said: “The trail has become an annual fixture in the calendars of breeders and enthusiasts and there is great excitement ahead of this 10th anniversary edition. We are thankful to all farms taking part as we draw the spotlight to Ireland’s hugely valuable thoroughbred breeding industry.”

Mr O’Neill went on to state that horses sired and bred in Ireland once again excelled on the track in 2023, and register major successes in the most competitive races across the globe.

“Ireland’s stallion roster continues to enhance its world-leading status and offers breeders at home and abroad an unparalleled array of top talent to suit all mares and budgets,” he said.

Figures from research carried out in 2023 by Deloitte on behalf of Horse Racing Ireland, demonstrate the significance of racing and breeding to the rural economy. The breeding sector generates revenues of €819m, providing economic stimulus across the country. Testament to Ireland’s outstanding reputation as a location for thoroughbred breeding is the country’s 2022 position as the second largest territory by value for global public bloodstock sales. With an estimated €538m in sales achieved last year through public auction and privately, Ireland is second only to the USA.

Free event

The ITM Irish Stallion Trail is a free event. Visitors are asked to register which studs they intend to visit for information purposes at itm.ie/stalliontrail so studs have an idea of the numbers they can expect. Visitors are then free to visit their chosen studs at the time of their choosing within the advertised opening hours

Other nearby farms participating in ITM Irish Stallion Trail 2024 include Boardsmill Stud, Trim, County Meath, C15 FE40; 10am-3pm. Stallions: Court Cave. Poet’s World and Sumbal; Clongiffen Stud, Longwood, Enfield: 10am-3pm. Stallions: Austrian School and Kool Kompany.

Visit itm.ie/stalliontrail to register and to view an up-to-date list of studs, stallions, and opening hours.