A GROUP of 10 investors, north and south, have established the Irish Warmblood National Stud (IWNS) to “advance the Irish Warmblood breed and to drive progress in Ireland’s sport horse breeding industry.”

The 10 founders subscribed to 49 shares at €1,000 per share and they plan to grow to 149 shareholders.

The founding shareholders include Sligo international eventing rider, breeder, and solicitor Donnacha Anhold (Director); Down breeder Diane Harron Eakin; Monaghan veterinary surgeon and breeder John Peter Finlay; Waterford breeder and stallion station owner Richie Fitzgerald; Clare breeder Martin Howard; Cork retired business executive and breeder Paschal McCarthy (director and chairman); Kilkenny international showjumping rider and breeder Ger O’Neill (Director); Roscommon breeder Tony Whyte; an individual who wishes to remain anonymous; and the Irish Warmblood Foundation.

The Irish Warmblood Foundation is represented on the IWNS board by Bill Maguire, breeder, young horse producer, and accredited coach and trainer from Tralee.

Maguire also serves as the IWNS director of operations. He is the point of contact for breeders purchasing services from IWNS or donating to the Foundation.

Warmblood Foundation

One of the shareholders in IWNS, Irish Warmblood Foundation, is a new body designed to raise funds for activities and projects that benefit breeders and their Irish Warmblood horses. “The Foundation has been endowed with 29 shares in IWNS by donors who wish to remain anonymous. The Foundation is the largest single shareholder in Irish Warmblood National Stud,” stated their press release.

As a not-for-profit, all money raised by the Foundation will be spent exclusively for the benefit of Irish Warmblood horses and their breeders.

A representative of IWNS reached out to some of the largest and most successful stallion owners in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, and France and shared its vision with them.

“The IWNS asked the owners to send an outstanding stallion to stand at stud in Ireland and be produced in sport by our very talented riders.

“Each owner offered the group one or more stallions. After thoroughly researching the 18 offered stallions, IWNS asked the WSI Stallion Inspection Committee to evaluate the shortlist of five candidates and to inspect several of them. Although all the offered stallions were exceptionally well-bred, the board only wanted an outstanding modern stallion with a lot of blood that will suit mares in Ireland, stated their press release.

The IWNS stallion inspection committee approved the Holsteiner stallion Clarcon (Casall x Cassini I x Heraldik xx). This top-class seven-year-old Premium Stallion is owned by the Holsteiner Verband and has been leased for two years.

Clarcon is the first approved son of Casall to stand in Ireland. The grey stallion arrived on March 23rd and is based with Ger O’Neill in Kilkenny.

Clarcon’s semen will be collected and shipped nationwide on behalf of IWNS by Michael Hutchinson of Ballyquirke Stud in Gowran. Visiting mares are accepted by Ballyquirke Stud.

Mare Finder Service

IWNS also launched a Mare Finder service to source fillies and mares for breeders. “IWNS will search primarily for modern blood-type mares and fillies with exceptional pedigrees and damlines. A flat, low commission approach has been adopted to give best value for Irish buyers and to avoid conflicts of interest. The commission will be paid to IWNS by the buyer. IWNS will accept no commission or compensation from the seller,” stated the press release.

The Irish Warmblood National Stud also will search for outstanding Irish Warmblood colt foals and youngsters as stallion prospects.

In future years, the board plans to acquire land and facilities to permanently house the Irish Warmblood National Stud.

IWNS has launched a homepage – www.irishwarmbloodnationalstud.ie - and a Facebook page – www.facebook.com/IrishWarmbloodNationalStud – and a Twitter account – www.twitter.com/iwnationalstud.

WSI approved and recognised stallions including Clarcon, Luidam, Ulysses m2s, Je t’Aime Flamenco, Fiero, Asian Tiger m2s and Mermus R can be seen at the WSI Stallion Exhibition tomorrow (Sunday) at 2pm at Ballyrafter Equestrian Centre, Lismore, Co Waterford.

There will also be an “Interactive Seminar on Traits Required in Breeding Stallions” on Sunday.

All are welcome to attend.