THE Irish National Stud has frozen or reduced its stallion fees for 2024 "after a challenging yearling sales season, especially in the middle and lower tiers".

Invincible Spirit will once again headline the roster at a private fee. His yearlings sold for up to 520,000gns in 2023 and his 20 two-year-old winners gave him a 47% winners-to-runners strike-rate. He is the sire of unbeaten Group 2 Royal Lodge winner Ghostwriter.

His 2023 blacktype two-year-old winners-to-runners ratio is 4.7%.

Lucky Vega covered 150 mares in his first year at stud in 2022 and a comparable number this year. He is widely expected to be competing for first season sire honours when his first crop hit the track in 2025.

He looks good value for 2024 at €12,500, down 17% on this year's fee.

Nando Parrado will also welcome his first crop of foals to market this month. The son of Kodiac, winner of the Group 2 Coventry Stakes, covered 130 mares in his first book. He will remain at €6,000.

Equiano was represented on the track this year by Group 1 performer Equality and 100-plus rated runners Equilateral, Dakota Gold and Apollo One. Along with Elusive Pimpernel, he is available at €2,000.

Phoenix Of Spain did the Irish National Stud and his supporters proud with 17 winners in his first crop.

His strike-rate of 43% winners-to-runners is the best among first crop sires standing in Britain in Ireland and his 3% group race winners-to-runners ratio is second only to Too Darn Hot in Britain and Ireland. Among his best performers were Group 2 winner and Guineas entrant Haatem, the 100-rated Spanish Phoenix, Derby entrant Soul Of Spain, Oaks entrant Alpheratz, multiple winners Miguel, Spanish Flame and Spanish Blaze and the impressive Dundalk scorer Orderofthephoenix. He will stand at €10,000, a 17% reduction on this year's fee.

Irish National Stud CEO Cathal Beale said: "There is no doubt that, in challenging times, we must be especially mindful of the bottom line for breeders and that’s why we have chosen to drop or maintain all fees for 2024.

"Breeders need to be able to make a profit on their stock while giving their mares the best possible opportunity of producing a winner at stakes level. We believe they will find those qualities and that exceptional value throughout our roster.”

IRISH NATIONAL STUD FEES FOR 2024

Stallion Fee (2023)

Invincible Spirit Private (Private)

Lucky Vega €12,500 Oct 1st terms (€15,000)

Phoenix Of Spain €10,000 Oct 1st terms (€12,000)

Nando Parrado €6,000 Oct 1st terms (€6,000)

Equiano €2,000 in advance of covering (€2,000)

Elusive Pimpernel €2,000 in advance of covering (€2,000)