By all accounts the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show was a big success last week. I haven’t seen an official figure for the total five-day attendance but my colleagues on The Irish Field stand, located just inside the main entrance, were sure that footfall was up each day.

Even though my knowledge of top-level equestrian sport is shaky, it was clear that many of the world’s top riders - and horses - were in town. I’ll admit I struggle with a lot of the horse names. Swiss rider Steve Guerdat’s Grand Prix winner Albfuehren’s Iashen Sitte doesn’t exactly trip off the tongue but at least two of the top four in Sunday’s €1 million event were Irish-bred.

Of course, in racing we are well used to Arabic names on the flat and – increasingly – French names dominating jump racing. The six top-rated steeplechasers in Ireland today are all French-bred – Gaelic Warrior, Il Etait Temps, Fact To File, I Am Maximus, Galopin Des Champs and Majborough.

So I guess it’s no surprise that the recent store horse sales were heavily loaded with French-breds, astutely acquired by Irish consignors, many of whom, as you read this, are driving around rural France in searing heat, searching for next year’s Arkle Sale and Derby Sale top lots.

It’s a sore point with Irish breeders but my view is that this is what the market wants. If Goffs and Tattersalls Ireland don’t take French-bred horses then somebody else will. However, I believe there is an argument that there should be some kind of extra charge levied on those imports when they are presented at an Irish sale.

Promotional cost

Here’s the case: Irish breeders are paying the Foal Levy, a third of which goes to Irish Thoroughbred Marketing who do a good job in promoting the sales abroad and bringing foreign buyers to the sales. The consignor who is selling a French-bred import is not paying anything to ITM but still benefits from the sale being promoted. Shouldn’t they pay something?

At the Goffs Arkle Sale Part 1 in June, 128 of the 469 horses (27.3%) catalogued were French-bred and they accounted for seven of the top 10 lots. Ironically they were all bought by Irish purchasers - not visiting buyers - but every lot has an underbidder and for every Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott purchase, there most likely was a Dan Skelton or Paul Nicholls underbidder.

At the Derby Sale Part 1, 90 of the 418 horses (21.5%) listed came from France. This time they accounted for nine of the top 10 lots and it looks like three or four of them could be trained in England.

With results like that you’d imagine that sales company executives will be looking for even more French-breds for next year’s store sale catalogues.

Level the pitch

I spoke to a few industry people about this topic yesterday. One person pointed out that not all the Irish consignors are breeders either – they could be pinhookers too. So perhaps the proposed levy or extra entry fee should also apply to them.

It’s not trying to punish them for their entrepreneurial spirit – hats off to them for their bravery, judgement and hard work. They’re paying taxes on their profits, and boosting sales turnover, something which Horse Racing Ireland likes to crow about.

But I think the pitch is not quite level and I’d hope that those pinhookers who import French-breds would understand how some breeders might see things. To them, not only are Irish horses being kept out of the sales by the ‘invaders’, the fact that the breeder is effectively subsidising the show through the Foal Levy adds insult to injury.

By and large, National Hunt breeders are struggling and in the bigger picture it’s not good for any of us every time one of them gets out of the game. Foal crops have been falling for about 15 years but they steadied up in 2026, which was a relief. Unfortunately you couldn’t be confident there will be space in the store sales for all of those Irish foals. And if the breeder is to be denied a spot in the catalogue for their foal then at least ensure that the pinhooked foal is paying its way.

I’m not sure how this levy or surcharge would work but I’d love to hear your ideas.

Email: markcostello@theirishfield.ie

Saving money on energy bills

When the US-Iran war sparked yet another energy crisis earlier this year, I finally took the plunge and got solar panels installed at home. Thanks to the series of heatwaves this summer our electricity bill has disappeared. If we had an electric car we’d be even happier.

Horse owners should also consider going solar. Stable roofs can take plenty of panels and there are grants available.

The Irish Field is staging an information evening on solar power at Kildangan Stud in Monasterevin, Co Kildare at 6pm on Monday, August 24th. We’re going to see some stallions too and there will be refreshments, so I expect all the places will be gone very soon. The event is free and is being put on in association with the Irish Farmers Association and Bord Gais. Hope to see you there. Register HERE