Crystal Ocean (GB), the top-rated horse in the world in 2019, now has a new accolade as the busiest stallion at stud in Britain and Ireland, according to the Return of Mares, which has been published by Weatherbys. The son of Sea The Stars (Ire), who stands for Coolmore's National Hunt division at The Beeches Stud in Co Waterford, covered 335 mares. Leading the Flat sires was Coolmore's Sioux Nation on 289.
Frankel (GB), who is on his way to regaining his champion sire title in 2023, covered 196 mares at Banstead Manor Stud, including the dual Arc winner Treve (Fr) and Breeders' Cup heroines Audarya (Fr), Glass Slippers (GB) and Newspaperofrecord (GB). The dams of his Classic winners Adayar (Ire), Chaldean (GB), Nashwa (GB) and Homeless Songs (Ire) all paid return visits.
The reigning champion sire Dubawi (Ire), now 21, covered 137 mares at Dalham Hall Stud. These included the Arc winner Alpinista (GB), Cabaret (Ire), the dam of St Mark's Basilica (Fr) and Magna Grecia (Ire), and Group 1-winning sisters Magical (Ire) and Rhododendron (Ire), the latter being the dam of Auguste Rodin (Ire).
The returns to September 30, 2023 show that the number of foals born in Britain and Ireland this year rose slightly to 13,438 (from 13,275). Taken individually, there was a 4% rise in the number of foals in Ireland, to 9,082 (8,757 in 2022 and 8,638 in 2021), while the British foal crop contracted by 4% to 4,356 (4,518 in 2022 and 4,282 in 2021).
The number of broodmares reported at stud in Britain and Ireland in 2023 is 22,600, down from 22,832 in 2022. Of these, 2,456 were not covered and there were 5,912 no returns, with 210 reported as barren.
The 187 stallions recorded in Ireland this year is a decrease of three from 2022, while the number rose in Britain by two to 113.
The ten busiest stallions in Britain and Ireland in 2023:
Crystal Ocean (GB), The Beeches Stud, 335
Sioux Nation, Coolmore, 289
Vadamos (Fr), Grange Stud, 273
Affinisea (Ire), Whytemount Stud, 268
Saxon Warrior (Jpn), Coolmore, 264
Poet's Word (Ire), Boardsmill Stud, 257
Santiago (Ire), Castle Hyde Stud, 245
Mehmas (Ire), Tally-Ho Stud, 244
Diamond Boy (Fr), Kilbary Lodge Stud, 242
Blue Bresil (Fr), Glenview Stud, 242
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