Of the flat stallions retired to stud for 2016 which ones do you especially like and why?

Dermot Cantillon: Free Eagle is very exciting. He has all the attributes required to make a world class stallion. On reflection his impeded run in the Irish Champion Stakes was world class. He possesses a pedigree that is one of the very best in the stud book, full of genuine top class international Group 1 winners.

Katie Walsh: Obviously the likes of Golden Horn, Gleneagles and Muhaarar stand out. Other than that - Ivawood and G Force appeal. Ivawood was a really good two-year-old who showed a lot of class while G Force was a Group 1-winning sprinter in 2013 and he is a good looking and very well bred horse. Both represent value.

Bill Dwan: Golden Horn has a real chance of making it into a successful stallion, of the less expensive ones I liked the look of Gay O’ Callaghan’s new sire Gutaifan.

Mary Davison: Harbour Watch, Bated Breath, Sir Prancealot - with plenty of runners working for them they should come up with the winners.

Con Marnane: I like Gutaifan, G Force and French Navy. These are three commercial types and their studs show plenty of confidence and support for their stallions’ progeny.

Golden Horn and Frankie Dettori win the Qatar Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe - Photo credit: healyracing.ie

Name a flat stallion with runners on the track whose fee you think is likely to rise in future and why?

DC: The horse to look out for is Dandy Man. He has shown he can get you a Grade 1 horse and after a number of smaller crops this year he will have a very strong crop of two-year-olds in terms of both quality and numbers. This could be his break out year.

KW: Camacho is an interesting stallion. His initial crops were good and his biggest crop to date will run in 2017. That could be just what he needs to achieve wider recognition.

BD: Zoffany is a well-bred stallion who started extremely well with proper Group 1 performers and should continue to progress. Dandy Man is a sire who is not expensive but has also proven he can sire a Group 1 horse.

CM: Dream Ahead was an excellent sprinter as a two and three-year-old. I think his progeny are going to do better as three-year-olds. We currently have two three-year-olds by this sire and they needed a bit more time to mature and build-up their strength. They were a little bit backward as two-year-olds.

What are your predictions for the bloodstock market this year?

DC: It has become very polarised with a small number of people making a lot of money and most breeders just making ends meet. The cycle of boom and boost driven by bigger foal crops will continue and it looks like this cycle has gained momentum with an adjustment downward on the way. In terms of new markets look east.

KW: Like everybody else I hope it’s going to be a very good year! Seriously, it will more than likely be more of the same and the top of the market will be where things are strongest as there is a very strong emphasis on quality. Trade is likely to be very similar to 2015.

BD: The dreaded word “selective” comes to mind, we must be careful not to oversupply the market, that said, if you produce a good-looking yearling by the right sire you get well rewarded.

MD: There will be high’s for top class pedigrees, fashionable stallions, siblings of Group winners and good walking colts and disasters for a lot of the rest. With numbers of yearlings on the increase again, it will be hard for every vendor to realise a profit.

CM: I think the market will continue to gain in strength but I think buyers will be very selective. We could see the issue of over-production resurfacing. I also think it is a disgrace that prize money for maiden auction races in England has not increased. I think a win in one of these races should be worth at least £30,000 in order to give small owners a chance.

Which stallion’s progeny caught your eye at the foal or yearling sales?

DC: I am a bit biased here, as the breeder of Casamento. His progeny sold very well as foals but in the sales ring as yearlings collectively they didn’t command the prices to leave profits for pinhookers. He got big scopey horses so if they show promise at two he should be a very exciting young stallion.

KW: The yearling sales are my main focus and a huge number of stallions were represented by their first yearlings this year - there are well over 20 sires who will be represented by their first runners in 2016. The likes of Helmet and Harbour Watch got some very nice horses while I liked the look of Bated Breath’s progeny too.

BD: Dragon Pulse yearlings looked sharp and early, Swiss Spirit is a sire who produced good foals at a small fee. I have seen some real good Declaration Of War foals and the stock by Sepoy were impressive.

MD: I didn’t see enough yearlings or foals to give an opinion.

CM: We have bought yearlings by Rio De La Plata, Dragon Pulse, Helmet, Foxwedge and Power, they all caught my eye. I like their attitude and temperament.

Dragon Pulse yearling at Goffs 2015 - Photo credit: Caroline Norris

What is your view on the ITM Stallion Trail?

DC: It really is an excellent idea. Promoting it to the broader non-industry public is very important. The trail shows our industry in a very positive light and comes at a very convenient time of the stud year.

KW: It’s a great idea and over the course of a couple of days it gives the wider public a chance to see some of the very finest stallions in the country. It’s different and gives people a chance to see another side of the industry.

BD: It is a wonderful opportunity to see some of the best stallions in the world and also to look at the new kids on the block who will be filling in the shoes of champion sires Galileo and Shamardal in years to come. It also gives people a chance to meet and discuss mating and many other topics with the stud managers and is a wonderful initiative.

MD: Good opportunity to see stallions I can’t afford!

CM: I think this is a fantastic idea. Anything to promote bloodstock in Ireland has to be good for the industry. The Irish breeding industry is very important to the country, it is a rural-based industry and I think this is a great opportunity to show people that we are world class.

This feature was compiled by Leanne O’Sullivan and Judith Faherty

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