Stud

Latest News & Events

Osblog 5 - Somebody spotted the Osblog and commented “you must have nothing to do”21/02/2012
Osblog Issue 4 'the breeders are more guilty of narrow thinking when it came to sires than the yearling purchasers'10/02/2012
Filly jumps for joy as her mum names her HERITAGE ISLAND!09/02/2012It was an exciting day at the Irish National Stud yesterday when first time mum Dreamawy chose the winning name HERITAGE ISLAND as the name of her first born.

Sales Preparation

“ By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”
– Benjamin Franklin.

For most pinhookers and breeders, yearling preparation begins either when the hammer falls at the foal sales or when a foal is born. The Irish National Stud plan from the moment we take charge of a foal, backwards from the yearling sale date that has been identified as a goal for that individual. A balanced feed programme is one of the essential components, along with monthly farrier assessments and a detailed worming routine for each individual.

The Irish National Stud is spoilt for space; all our paddocks are well protected by heavy borders of beech, oak, ash and sycamore trees. The paddocks that suit yearlings best – fillies and colts – is now formulaic, tried and tested over the past hundred years. Yearlings require consistent access to balanced nutrients and minerals, making the Irish National Stud ideally located in the limestone-rich lands at Tully. Every effort is made to have a steady growth pattern throughout the winter months. A balanced feed programme, in tandem with the quality of forage available is essential for the development of bone which will support the massive strain put on limbs and joints in the future.

As spring beckons, Stud Manager Annette Boland and our farrier take a close look at all yearlings, identifying possible weaknesses and watching eagerly for improvements. Yearlings at this time of year will be taught how to show themselves, walking and turning with conviction and purpose. This is also when yearlings who have not been through a foal sale will learn to behave, how to stand while other yearlings and unfamiliar people are moving around them. A vital part of their preparation, as no matter how well a yearling is bred, it will only get a handful of opportunities to “show “correctly at sale time. One bad show can ultimately cost thousands, a couple of good shows and your yearling is popular.

Sale preparation ‘proper’ will begin ten weeks in advance of the particular sale date; the usual mix of walking in hand, gentle lunging, time turned out, along with the consistent evaluation methods allows plenty of time to rectify any small problems, splints or curbs.

With all that is required to produce a successful sales yearling, possibly the most important ingredient is our staff. Unrelenting and dedicated, our highly trained, on site experts are key to the process, nurturing your yearling along, but delivering a racehorse to the sales ring.

We also prepare foals and mares for the sales and other stock as requested. Please contact our stud office to discuss your requirements.