THE Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine has put the provision of Studbook Services out to tender.

Horse Sport Ireland currently hold the contract, awarded in 2022 after a tender process which saw them lose out on the marketing services to the Irish Horse Board (IHB).

At that time, HSI filed Judicial Review proceedings to the DAFM’s decision to award marketing to the IHB but later dropped the proceedings.

Horse Sport Ireland also hold the National Breeding Services contract.

The DAFM published the notice on the Government’s e-tender website on Monday, August 18th, which said: “The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are seeking to award contract(s) to operate the Studbooks for the following breeds to breeders’ associations, breeding organisations or public bodies: - The Irish Sport Horse (No. of Foals entered in 2024: circa 4400) - The Irish Sport Pony (No. of Foals entered in 2024: circa 110) - The Irish Draught (No. of Foals entered in 2024: circa 930) - The Irish Cob (No. of Foals entered in 2024: circa 90) - The Irish Part-bred Cob (No. of Foals entered in 2024: circa 11).”

The tender is split into three lots and applicants may apply for any or all of the following lots: the Irish Sport Horse and the Irish Sport Pony; the Irish Draught; the Irish Cob and the Irish Part-bred Cob.

Applications

The closing date for applicants is September 19th, 2025. The contact duration is listed as 72 months (six years).

The Irish Field asked the Department of Agriculture if the tender was brought forward and when the National Breeding Services and marketing services will be out for tender.

A spokesperson said: “As these questions relate to a live tender the Department does not wish to make a comment.

“The National Equine Breeding Services contract is currently due to expire on the 31st December 2025, but may be extended by up to 12 months beyond that date.”

The DAFM did not indicate when the marketing services contract currently held by the Irish Horse Board would expire.