Invincible Spirit raises stud revenues

Demand for the services of one of the most-prized stallions in Irish horse breeding history was the main driver of a 56% increase in profits at the Irish National Stud in 2016.

The commercial state body reported profits of €3.9m last year — up from €2.5m in 2015 — as it enjoyed what Irish National Stud chairman, Matt Dempsey, described as “another year of improved trading”.

Overall revenue at the thoroughbred horse breeding centre in Tully, Co Kildare also rose by 23% to €10.6m including an extra €1m income from stallion fees.