Notes from the 2019 ITM Irish Stallion Trail

This week we got the opportunity to take in the Irish Stallion Trail organised by the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. In it’s 5th year more than 25 stallion farms from across Ireland participated by opening their doors to both industry figures and the general public. Studs participating in the Trail in 2019 include Ballylinch, Castlehyde, Coolmore, Derrinstown, Irish National Stud, Kildangan, Yeomanstown, and many more. Some of the world’s greatest stallions of both the Flat and National Hunt will be on display, including multiple champion Flat sire Galileo (IRE), leading National Hunt sire Kalanisi (IRE), multiple Group 1 winner Ribchester (IRE), and four-time Ascot Gold Cup hero Yeats (IRE).

Launching the ITM Irish Stallion Trail 2019, Alex Cairns from the ITM said: “Once again the ITM Irish Stallion Trail is set to showcase the wealth of equine and human talent we have here in Ireland. Our aim with the Trail is to engage both those working in the racing industry and the general public. Our thanks go out to the many stallion farms across the country that will be making time in their busy schedules to help promote the world-class work they do every day”. Follow the ITM on Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date on their invaluable work.

Check out some of our photos/videos from the trail (as it will give you a sneak peak of some of the highlights that will be part of the HorseTech Tour that we’re running alongside the next HorseTech Conference:

First on the tour for us was Coolmore Stud in Fethard County Tipperary. Owned by John Magnier this is the world’s biggest and best thoroughbred racehorse breeding operation and it’s set on over 7,000 prime acres of the finest limestone land making it the perfect environment for breeding and raising thoroughbreds:

Saxon Warrior:

Australia:

Highland Reel:

Camelot:

The Horseware Rambo: Only the very best will do for Coolmore…

Free Irish Stew, soup and plenty of sandwiches and cakes at Coolmore facilitated the grouping of visitors at the most popular Stud on the tour. Incredibly passionate staff were everywhere talking with visitors and answering questions, the pride they all had in their dedication to the highest quality teamwork was infectious. It was surprising to learn that visitor numbers had only doubled on the record set last year as we really don’t do enough to celebrate the second to none quality of Irish Thoroughbred Breeding.