The Irish National Stud is either maintaining or reducing the fees for its six stallions “after a challenging yearling sales season, especially in the middle and lower tiers”, according to a press release sent out on Thursday.
The venerable Invincible Spirit (Ire), who turns 27 in 2024, is listed with a private fee, having stood for €60,000 in 2023 following a career high of €120,000 between 2016 and 2019. His top runners this season include the unbeaten G2 Royal Lodge S. winner Ghostwriter (Ire) and he covered 89 mares earlier this year.
Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Phoenix of Spain (Ire) has been one of the leading lights among the first-season sires this year, his 17 winners giving him a 43% winners to runners strike-rate. They are led by the G2 Vintage S. winner Haatem (Ire). The son of Lope De Vega (Ire) will stand at €10,000, down from €12,000 last year.
Another of Lope De Vega's sons, Lucky Vega (Ire), is represented by his first foals at the sales from 150 coverings in his debut season. He was sent 147 mares last year and his fee has also been trimmed, from €15,000 to €12,500.
Nando Parrado (GB) will also have his first crop of foals for sale later this month. From an opening book of 130 mares, he covered 94 this year. The son of Kodiac (GB) will remain at €6,000.
Equiano (Fr) and Elusive Pimpernel (Ire) are both advertised at €2,000 with the requirement for breeders to pay for the nomination in advance of the mare being covered.
Cathal Beale, CEO of the Irish National Stud, said, “There is no doubt that in challenging times we must be especially mindful of the bottom line for breeders and that's why we have chosen to drop or maintain all fees for 2024. Breeders need to be able to make a profit on their stock while giving their mares the best possible opportunity of producing a winner at stakes level. We believe they will find those qualities and that exceptional value throughout our roster.”
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