IN the world of soccer we constantly hear that a strong youth policy was the key to success at various clubs. In the horse world, successful breeders usually attribute the results to the broodmare band. The all important ‘bottom line’ or maternal side gets talked up from the flat breeding studs to show ponies to National Hunt.

Ireland has for many years punched above its weight in the breeding of pacers. Norman Brown of Rosehall Stud, the Dunnes of Porterstown, Newtown Stud and Hughie Richardson all produced top-class animals which set track records, or were exported or both. Recently, the Oakwood Stud in Offaly has raised the bar even higher by importing quality mares which in turn have helped the median at yearling sales.

Therefore it is encouraging to see a burgeoning scene of breeding Trotteurs Français in Ireland. Ger Kane of Mooreside Stud told The Irish Field recently, “The foals of 2017 from French dams foaled in Ireland will be the first in anyone’s experience to have two passports, one from Le Trot and another from the IHRA.”

The current crop of three-year-olds are the fruition of a far-seeing plan hatched by the IHRA and those frequent visitors to our shores Madame Emmanuelle Morvilliers and Damien Beau of Le Trot and their various colleagues.

It’s hard to please everyone. While the general opinion in trotting circles is that Le Trot involvement has been a shot in the arm for Irish harness racing there were a few knockers (amazingly these critics didn’t buy many French Trotters nor win a lot of races) of the scheme, which initially involved older racehorses.

Personally I would prefer to concentrate on the likes of Silvano Bello, Solicitor, Tamalou Perrine, Umbratica and Soprano Gede all of which raced week in and week out and generally ran their race. At around €3,500 to ‘get in’, these runners were good value.

My point is that at least with a fresh batch of untried three-year-olds even the cynics cannot say that any horse owner was ‘sold a pup’ so to speak.

Commitment

Furthermore, by selling breeding stock to Ireland, Le Trot has strengthened their commitment to this country. The hundreds of breeders in the vast country have another export market and Irish harness horsemen have access to better-bred stock than previously. Everyone’s a winner.

As ever, where the trotting gait is involved Ger Kane of Mooreside Stud at The Naul is in the thick of things. Ger was kind enough to explain the intricacies of the scheme to The Irish Field recently.

“In 2017, 46 French mares came in, most of which were ‘Premium’ mares. This title means that the mare in question was graded in France according to her race record, and the standard of her foals.

“The French are very protective of their bloodlines and only a very controlled amount of American blood is allowed on the page.”

The experienced breeder went on: ‘’The approved mares qualify for a premium, you might say a kickback of €700, once a live foal is registered. After initial teething troubles I am pleased to say that a good few breeders have the subsidy lodged in Ireland.

“We now have some pure ‘breeders’ with one or two mares, not racing stock. This is something that a guy who keeps an Irish Draught or thoroughbred mare could try as an interest.”

The 2017 intake of mares visited some of the “most illegible bachelors” to grace the French tracks. Who would have thought that there would be sons and daughters of Meaulnes de Corta (lifetime earnings €2,786,760) Armstrong Jet (1.11.8 km rate) and Nice Love (€435,000) pounding the home tracks of Fingal, Meath and Cork in the lead up to the postponed 2020 season?

Ger is awaiting the arrival of Apprenti Sourcier (1.11) winner of six races and €285,000 to cover mares in Ireland in 2020. Alan Wallace is standing Quip du Beauvoisin (€245,000, 1.11).

All told the future of Les Trotteurs Français in Ireland looks promising.