Just 27 stallions were entered this year, compared to a peak of 127 candidates in 2011.

The fall in numbers is due to a number of factors, including the option of a pre-inspection veterinary examination and x-rays for prospective candidates. Other factors have been a reality check by owners about the viability of standing non-commercial stallions in a saturated market and for some, a loss of faith in the inspection system, particularly the timeframe and cost involved in a stallion gaining full approval status.