JOHN FLOOD

Boardsmill Stud

Q: How would you explain the strength of the bloodstock market in 2021?

A small part of it, I think, was a bounce back from the impact of the pandemic in 2020, where certain people didn’t invest as normal. A big factor at play though, in my opinion, is the situation where banks don’t want large amounts of money on deposit. As people are choosing alternative ways of investing or spending, a percentage of this money is being invested in bloodstock which is a big vote of confidence in the continued attraction of our industry.

Q: Do you expect coverings to be up in 2022 and the sales to stay strong?

History will tell us that as sales improve, covering numbers go up which ultimately leads to overproduction. I think our current covering numbers are more than enough for the demand that is there. I do think that sales will continue to stay strong as, unlike before, the current growth in the wider economy isn’t credit-fuelled so hopefully it is more sustainable.

Q: How has Brexit affected your business and in what ways?

It definitely had an impact on the number of British-based mares that travelled to us in 2021. The added paperwork and expense seemed to discourage some. However, I believe now that transport companies have streamlined the process as much as possible it won’t be as much of a deterrent going forward, albeit more costly than before Brexit.

Q: Is sourcing and retaining staff a problem for you?

Thankfully we have a great loyal team of staff at the moment and have been lucky to recruit a couple of new members ahead of the coming season. Sourcing and retaining staff is however a challenge at the moment across a lot of industries, not just the racing and breeding industry.

Q: Outside of your own stallions, which sire are you keeping a close eye on, or using yourself, in 2022?

Hillstar at Denis Hickey’s Garryrichard Stud. He has got off to a great start with his first runners. Like the ill-fated Jeremy and also our own sire Sumbal, he is a son of Danehill Dancer and has proven popular with breeders. Having lost Jeremy at such a young age, it’s great to see Denis has another nice prospect coming through.

CATHAL BEALE

Irish National Stud

Q: How would you explain the strength of the bloodstock market in 2021?

I think there has been a pent-up demand for goods and services in the wider economy from the previous year when people were locked down which has filtered through. Fortunately, racing was largely able to continue throughout and our industry is also incredibly resilient.

Q: Do you expect coverings to be up in 2022 and the sales to stay strong?

Yes, I think the season will be very busy. There appears to be fewer stallions becoming available on the market each year for breeders. This points to a wider problem whereby good quality stallion prospects are being sold to international markets before they can prove themselves. With international prize money levels increasing this trend is accelerating and will mean the supply of new stallions will continue to reduce. I think this will mean that coverings per stallion will be up.

Q: How has Brexit affected your business and in what ways?

Brexit continues to be a challenge. Any barrier to trade has an effect and the movement of horses between Britain and Ireland has clearly fallen. Additional paperwork and costs remain but they are not insurmountable and the message must be clear that it is still very possible to travel horses between Ireland and Britain while we continue to seek improvements.

Q: Is sourcing and retaining staff a problem for you?

We are very fortunate to have a great team, many of whom have been with us for a long time. It is certainly a big challenge for the industry.

Q: Outside of your own stallions, which sire are you keeping a close eye on, or using yourself, in 2022?

We have an excellent roster for 2022 and we will mainly be utilising our own horses. We have used Starspangledbanner, Acclamation, Showcasing, Oasis Dream and Night Of Thunder regularly. I think Time Test has done very well too.

DAVID O’CALLAGHAN

Yeomanstown Stud

Q: How would you explain the strength of the bloodstock market in 2021?

The bloodstock industry has always been good to fill a void when one is created. So with the loss of Shadwell from the yearling market this year, others stepped up as they felt they could buy the horses they wanted. Historically the top end has always been strong, however this year the top end felt thinner then usual with a lot of the bigger more prolific buyers not participating, but the middle and lower end were very strong at all the sales.

There is a great hunger for horses across Europe. However prize money in England is going to affect what people want to pay.

Q: Do you expect coverings to be up in 2022 and the sales to stay strong?

I imagine covering will be at similar level to last year, bearing in mind that there will be fewer English mares travelling here and vice versa. As for the sales, I hope the strength and hunger at the lower and middle-market remains and would hope that there are a few more new players at the higher end especially for top-end colts.

Prize money being sorted out is the best chance to stimulate this. If there is the political will in the UK to just get 3-4% of turnover from the bookmakers and exchanges, then racing and all sports can flourish with a funding model in place.

Q: How has Brexit affected your business and in what ways?

Brexit has reduced the volume of mares coming to and from the UK to visit stallions. However, in the yearling market it has definitely boosted the lower end in Ireland a lot. This is due to increased export costs to European buyers who would have traditionally bought in England. So they increased their support at the Sportsman and Open Yearling sale instead. Both of these sales were very strong and a good market to sell in.

Q: Is sourcing and retaining staff a problem for you?

We are in the fortunate position that we have a very good team in place at the moment with a superb team, both at home and at the sales. Saying that, we are always on the look out for new people and there is a shortage of staff in the labour market presently.

Q: Outside of your own stallions, which sire are you keeping a close eye on, or using yourself, in 2022?

The National Hunt sire Affinsea who stands at Whytemount Stud will have his first four-year-old runners this year and I will be watching with great interest as my brother-in-law Morgan has bred a few cracking foals by him in the last few years.

MICHEÁL ORLANDI

Starfield Stud

Q: How would you explain the strength of the bloodstock market in 2021?

It’s fascinating really but who’s complaining. I suppose it’s due to a combination of factors on the flat. A wider spread of buyers was evident. For example, there was more activity from Australians and Americans in the yearling market. It seemed more people were willing to spend between €50,000 and €100,000. The middle-market was exceptionally strong, while the National Hunt market keeps steamrolling.

Q: Do you expect coverings to be up in 2022 and the sales to stay strong?

I can’t see why not. The market is surviving Covid and the world economy is going the right way. As long as people have confidence, they will breed their mares.

Q: How has Brexit has affected your business and in what ways?

The additional costs and paperwork related to shipping horses is an inconvenience. It did affect some breeders on shipping mares over to be covered at Starfield Stud. As a whole I don’t think it benefitted the Irish thoroughbred industry in any way.

Q: Is sourcing and retaining staff a problem for you?

I have a small but great team. Top staff are hard to come by and I suppose it is an industry where staffing is a problem, similar to agriculture. I don’t know of any quick fixes but I’m all in favour of young people getting involved and giving them as much opportunities as you can allow.

Q: Outside of your own stallions, which sire are you keeping a close eye on, or using yourself, in 2022?

I rarely use an outside stallion. I’m a firm believer in supporting my own stallions. I do, however, have a mare in foal to Kodi Bear and Galileo Gold, two stallions that upgrade their mares. I wasn’t a fan of Galileo Gold from the start but I’ve eaten my words. I think he did remarkably well with his first crop. Through my friend Dave Loughnane, Go Bears Go has been a fine example of the quality and class that Kodi Bear can bring.

LINDA & RONNIE O’NEILL

Whytemount Stud

Q: How would you explain the strength of the bloodstock market in 2021?

It was a very selective market. There were good prices for top animals but the bottom of the market was very tricky, a hard sell.

Q: Do you expect coverings to be up in 2022 and the sales to stay strong?

We are hopeful coverings will remain much the same as 2021. There is still a lot of uncertainty around sales.

Q: How has Brexit affected your business and in what ways?

Brexit hasn’t had a great impact on us.

Q: Is sourcing and retaining staff a problem for you?

We’re a family-run business with no outside staff employed.

Q: Outside of your own stallions, which sire are you keeping a close eye on, or using yourself, in 2022?

We’re watching Denis Hickey’s Hillstar at Garryrichard Stud.