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IRE
VICKI GIBBINS ’ CHRONICLE
THE IRISH STALLION TRAIL DEFIES TIME It was an exciting start to the year for Irish Thoroughbred Marketing as the Irish Stallion Trail defied wintry conditions to welcome thousands of breeders and racing fans to stud farms across the country . Irish Stallion Trail defies weather for another successful year . The Irish Stallion Trail , brainchild of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing , offers a unique opportunity for breeders , racing fans and curious members of the public to visit stallion farms across the length and breadth of Ireland for two days annually in January . From new faces like King Of Steel ( Tally-Ho Stud ) to champion sires such as Dark Angel ( Yeomanstown Stud ), visitors have the chance to meet their favourite racing heroes in a new role at stud and learn more about the ever-expanding Irish bloodstock industry . Alex Cairns , marketing manager at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing , explains the importance of the Trail : “ Events like the ITM Irish Stallion Trail and HRI ( Horse Racing Ireland ) Ownership Open Days at training yards allow people to get close to the horses , see what goes on behind closed doors and deepen their knowledge beyond simply going racing and seeing horses pass the winning post . It allows them to engage with horses as animals , and in the case of the Stallion Trail , with the breeding . You can reconnect with some of the great champions of the past and it may also be a chance for young people to see the opportunities that are out there in the racing industry . Thousands turned out across the country at farms big and small , from some of the world ’ s biggest global operations , down to smaller family run-farms with one stallion . Overall , we received great feedback and we were delighted to showcase Thoroughbred breeding and Irish stallions once again .” With wintry conditions making life difficult in some parts of southern Ireland during the original 10 / 11 January dates , Coolmore was forced to delay their opening by a week to ensure the safety of stallions and visitors . Nearly 1,000 people flocked to the four Coolmore sites to meet the equine stars , with the three ‘ new boys ’ at the main Coolmore Stud provoking particular attention – newly crowned World ’ s Best Racehorse City Of Troy , Breeders ’ Cup Turf ( Gr . 1 ) winner Auguste Rodin and first son of Dubawi to stand at Coolmore , Henry Longfellow . Mark Byrne , nominations manager at Coolmore said : “ The open day was very successful . We had 1,000 people or so including breeders from all over Ireland and even the world . We ’ re delighted to have these stallions to showcase the breeders and it ’ s not often you have the World ’ s Best Horse in Tipperary and that ’ s what we have in City Of Troy . In addition , to have Auguste Rodin , a six-time Group 1 and Henry Longfellow , such a well-bred horse who won the Group 1 National Stakes at two , the same as his sire Dubawi . It ’ s highly exciting .” Introducing new stallions to breeders and racing fans is an integral part of the Irish Stallion Trail and it is an experience Yeomanstown Stud are familiar with . Yeomanstown boasts an exciting young roster with Middle Park Stakes ( Gr . 1 ) hero Supremacy welcoming his first juveniles in 2025 and new recruit , July Cup ( Gr . 1 ) winning sprinter Mill Stream , joining the team . Yeomanstown Stud ’ s Robert O ’ Callaghan said : “ Mill Stream went down a real treat . He ’ s a great-looking horse : with his race record and his pedigree , he ’ s a no-brainer for breeders , especially at € 12,500 . When he won the July Cup ( Gr . 1 ), one of the top-class sprinting races around , it was a major factor and I ’ m a big fan of his sire Gleneagles , we were happy to have a son of his . He has a very nice pedigree , a very fast and current family . When we saw him at Jane ’ s [ Chappel-Hyam ], he ’ s such a good-looking horse , great presence and action – everything about him is great .” Standing alongside his younger neighbours is Dark Angel , crowned Champion Sire for the first time in 2024 , aided by the exploits of multiple Group 1-winning miler son Charyn . Seeing the champion grey , sire of supreme sprinters like Harry Angel , Mecca ’ s Angel and Battaash , was a highlight of the Irish Stallion Trail for many . “ To show him off to people is a huge honour and I think the horse deserves it ,” added O ’ Callaghan . “ It was an amazing achievement to have a Champion Sire , it ’ s not lost on us at all that it is an incredible thing to win . He ’ s been in the top five many times and come second a few times , but to win it , was amazing . He ’ s done it the hard way , starting off at € 10,000 and achieving a career-high stud fee of € 85,000 a couple of years ago – he has really fought hard to get to this position .” With champion sires and fresh new faces alike , visitors to the Irish Stallion Trail were not left disappointed despite the tricky weather conditions and the annual event will continue to delight racing fans for many years to come .
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