Irish National Stud

It has been a basic tenet of bloodstock since the early days that Classic form is to be respected when a colt or a filly retires to stud. Some Classic results stand out, with the 1984 Prix du Jockey-Club often cited thanks to Darshaan (GB) leading home Sadler's Wells and Rainbow Quest in a trifecta of future superstar sires. As regards fillies, the 1990 Prix de Diane takes some beating, with Rafha (GB) coming home ahead of Moon Cactus (GB) and Colour Chart. All three ended up breeding at least...

The board of the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation named Gwen Browne and Shane Loughnane as recipients of scholarships, which includes tuition and room and board, for the 2024 National Stud course in county Kildare, Ireland, the organization said in a release Thursday. Studying Stud Management at Kildalton College in county Kilkenny while apprenticing under trainers Mags Mullins and Pat Foley, Browne subsequently worked for leading trainer Jessica Harrington's stables in county Kildare followed by a stint with Segenhoe Stud in the Hunter Valley, Australia. Prior to being accepted onto...

Jim and Jackie Bolger's dual Group 1 winner Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) will stand at the Irish National Stud in 2024 for a fee of €8,000. Mac Swiney played his part in a memorable 2021 season for the trainer/breeder when beating his stable-mate, the 2,000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare (Ire) to land a Classic of his own in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. A three-time winner as a juvenile, he had ended his debut season with victory in the G1 Vertem Futurity having also landed the G2 Beresford S....

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...

The 2024 Thoroughbred Breeding Management Course students have been selected, the Irish National Stud (INS) announced on Thursday. Once again, the course was highly oversubscribed. The Class of 2024 comprises students from 10 countries including Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, Uruguay, and the United States of America. The Class of 2024 are as follows: Luke Bleahen (Ireland), Kayla Bracken (USA), Brady Betlamini (Canada), Gwen Browne (Ireland), Mikey Cooke (Ireland), Cillian Cosgrave (Ireland), Luis Ettedgui (Uruguay), Wyatt Goodin (USA), Amber Gray (Australia), Jamie Griffin (New...

The Irish National Stud held its Thoroughbred Breeding Management Class of 2023 graduation ceremony on Wednesday June 28 in the Osborne centre and garden pavilion. In attendance were the graduates, their families, staff, lecturers, and prominent industry representatives. The ceremony began with CEO Cathal Beale giving a heartfelt speech, congratulating the graduates on their hard work and achievement. Students Brian Banahan and Ciara Russell then took their turn to give their own speeches on behalf of the class. Banahan and Russell spoke of the memories and friendships made, and expressed...

The Gerry Dilger Foundation invites applications by July 1 for those interested in attending the Irish National Stud in Kildare, Ireland. The scholarship is aimed at individuals currently working on a Kentucky horse farm with multiple years of experience, those enrolled as a 2023 KEMI spring intern or participants who have completed last year's fall program. Application Requirements: Resident of the US Bachelor's degree in equine science preferred, but not required Application and information due July 1, 2023   Scholarship Provides: Round trip airfare for travel. Ticket must be economy/coach...

The Irish National Stud has confirmed the passing of 2010 Ascot Gold Cup hero Rite Of Passage (GB) (Giant's Causeway--Dahlia's Krissy, by Kris S). He was 19. INS CEO Cathal Beale said, "Coming on the back of the recent loss of Kicking King, it is a sad day to report the passing of Rite Of Passage. He was a lovely, gentle horse who lived out his days receiving the greatest of care from all the team here. He will be deeply missed by all of us." Trained by Dermot Weld...

Win, lose or draw at the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale, Anna Barlow has already had a year to remember with a first foray into consigning her own horses under the banner of Byerley Stud.  The 22-year-old got off to a dream start by netting herself over €40,000 of a profit when selling a Starspangledbanner (Aus) filly to her boss Paddy Twomey for 65,000gns at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale last month.  Barlow will bid to keep the momentum going this week when offering lot 137, a Phoenix Of Spain...

Irish National Stud resident Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) became Europe's latest first-crop sire to get off the mark when Spanish Phoenix (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}--Freedom March {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) graduated at the second time of asking in Saturday's £8,000 Atlantic Pale Ale Maiden S. over five furlongs at Leicester. The even-money favourite, who ran fourth in his Apr. 10 debut at Kempton, raced on the front end after a slick getaway and extended clear under mild urging once shaken up approaching the final...

Few stallions who stand in and around the €15,000 bracket can boast a book of mares quite like Lucky Vega (Ire). The Group 1-winning juvenile has been supported by his owner Yuesheng Zhang from the outset and, judging by the Chinese businessman's spending at the premier mare sales through BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe last year, that backing is set to continue.  While the majority of the prominent owner's European-based mares will visit Lucky Vega this year, a number will also be spread out between Frankel (GB), Baaeed (GB), Sea The...

Prominent owner Yuesheng Zhang has placed more emphasis than ever on his runners trained in Britain ahead of the new Flat season, with Karl Burke set to be the main beneficiary after receiving 20 horses to train for the Chinese businessman.  Jessica Harrington, who has provided Zhang with the majority of his big-race success, including a breakthrough Classic victory in last year's Irish Oaks with Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), remains the number one trainer for the hugely-successful international ownership vehicle. Harrington also trained Zhang's Group 1-winning stallion Lucky Vega...