TREO Eile has launched a pilot initiative, in partnership with Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), to create further opportunities for thoroughbred mares in sport horse breeding. Under the Treo Eile Thoroughbred Broodmare Scheme, owners of eligible mares will receive a reimbursement of €500 towards the 2026 covering fee, upon receipt of a 45-day positive pregnancy certificate and stud fee proof of payment.

To qualify, owners should register for free with Treo Eile and mares must hold a ‘Select’ classification within the Irish Sport Horse Studbook. (A final date - Tuesday, 21st April at JAG Equestrian Centre - has been added to the current springtime broodmare inspections).

Mares should have a HSI-endorsed Weatherbys or equivalent passport. Eligible covering sires include HSI-listed Irish Sport Horse, Irish Draught and Class 1 Connemara stallions.

Anne O’Connor, Senior Executive Officer at Treo Eile, welcomed the collaboration, saying: “It is an exciting time to collaborate with Horse Sport Ireland in promoting the thoroughbred through the Treo Eile Thoroughbred Broodmare Scheme. This initiative supports a meaningful second-career pathway for mares coming out of training or from within the thoroughbred breeding industry.”

HSI’s Head of Breeding, Innovation & Development Dr Sonja Egan said: “We are delighted to support Treo Eile’s pilot scheme, which aims to encourage the use of quality thoroughbred mares in sport horse breeding,” adding that thoroughbred dams have played a key role in Ireland’s success in the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses rankings and at the highest levels of international sport.

She cited Bellaney Jewel (dam of 5* winner Cooley Rosalent and four-star siblings Jewelent and Govalent), Riverside Deuce (dam of another five-star event horse in Riverside Ace) and Legal Lady, the dam of 1.60m showjumper GRS Lady Amaro as such examples.

“I congratulate Andrea [Ryan, Treo Eile CEO] and Anne on the careful thought and dedication that has gone into developing this scheme,” Dr Egan added. Peter O’Reilly, CEO at ITBA commented: “Treo Eile do great work for the whole thoroughbred industry. Their new breeding initiative is a very positive one as it not only provides a very useful route for owners of thoroughbred mares but also that mix of the sport horse side and thoroughbred tends to deliver a lovely mix of athleticism, durability and many other likeable attributes.”

Renowned breeder and commentator William Micklem is another to endorse the initiative.

“This is a terrific scheme by Treo Eile. The modern sport horse world needs quality in all three major disciplines and the thoroughbred influence remains very important. Athletic thoroughbred mares with good paces and attitude are definitely required as broodmares.

“We need to find more thoroughbred genes for our breeding programmes and Treo Eile’s initiative will help this. Quality is the golden thread of breeding success.”

A €300 bonus is also available for eligible TIH offspring through the Traditional Irish Horse Association Performance Mare Scheme, with applications opening next Monday (April 13th). Eligible mares must have competed at 1.30m level showjumping, 3* eventing or have direct family at these levels and the covering sire must be Approved or NA 1 in the ISH studbook.

This joint scheme requires breeders to apply to both organisations. Full details are available from Treo Eile (hello@treoeile.com) and TIHA (breeding@traditionalirishhorseassociation.ie).