Production pays for stud owner and breeder Billy Daly in Newmarket as sector shows growth
However, he feels breeders are still not making a fair return on their investment.
“I found this year very good. I think business has improved and there is a demand for nice horses.
“People are looking for horses again, both Irish and English buyers.
“Definitely, though, the breeder could do with better prices.
“A lot have got out of the industry. But then, many were just going out the gate and asking themselves, ‘Will I turn right or left’ to the nearest stallion.
“Nowadays, I find breeders are doing their homework on pedigree, and it’s paying off,” said Daly, owner of Scarteen Stud in Newmarket, Co Cork, which this year celebrates 30 years of siring and producing successful progeny.
Irish breeding received a massive boost this week, when the Irish-bred Dougie Douglas sold for a record €1.4m at the Goresbridge Supreme Sale of Show Jumpers held at Gorey, Co Wexford.
It was consigned by British rider Holly Gillot, the joint owner with Graham Smith, who purchased the gelding in 2009 for just €5,800, at Goresbridge, coincidentally.
The selling price was more than 240 times the buying price.
Billy Daly believes breeders should give greater consideration to holding onto their stock and investing in their production, but only if they have the potential.
“I hope I breed one,” joked Daly.
“It’s what all breeders are aiming for, and hopefully Dougie Douglas’s breeder, John O’Brien in Limerick, can get a few more like him.
“There is a lesson there for the breeder, though, in that if you have something good you’d be advised to invest a little more in producing it well,” said Daly.
The Scarteen Stud owner was recently the recipient of an Irish Horse Board award, as the breeder of SRS Adventure, a six-year-old gelding by Scarteen stallion Newmarket Venture, out of Newmarket Dato Two, by Aldato (KWPN), who won bronze at the World Breeding Federation Championships for Young Event Horses in Le Lion dAngers, France.
“For example, my mare Newmarket Girl won the Young Irelander for three-year-olds in Millstreet in 1997, and I turned down a lot of money for her.
“I was criticised, but went the long road instead, and I had a lot of success.
“She’s 21 now, and she has a few nice offspring herself competing.”
Proven performance is key, he says, when it comes to breeding good foals.
“In my books, the mare is 70%, and performance is essential.
“If the mare can’t jump, there is every likelihood the progeny won’t either,” said Daly.
“I have around 18 mares. I do a lot of embryo transfer and have used it for over 10 years.
“I will have 11 three-year-olds next year, nine by embryo transfer, while five of these are out of Newmarket Clare, the dam of Newmarket Clare Lady, who was second in the three-year-old final in Dublin in 2011.
“I still own her, and she is being competed by Francis Connors.
“They finished third in the Irish Sport Horse Show Jumping Series final this year”.
The Irish Horse Board recently opted to cancel full stallion inspections next spring, as it reviews the inspection and classification system.
It is a massive change of course and a recognition that market forces were driving the sector, but Daly says it’s vital that veterinary inspections of stallions be maintained.
“I would be all for veterinary inspections and X-rays.
“To a certain degree, I see the logic for the change by the Horse Board, but veterinary inspection is crucial.
“Stallions can pass on flaws, such as wind problems, and we need to guard against this.”
Daly has three stallions, two of which are German, Newmarket Venture and Newmarket Jewel, plus the Irish Sport Horse stallion Berkley Cruise, who is by Cruising, with Clover Hill on his dam side, but also warmblood in the form of Cavalier Royale.
Such is the prevalence these days of Continental sires countrywide, plus access to foreign bloodlines through AI, that Daly believes the day of the traditional Irish horse is over.
“I went to Germany for my stallions, as their breeding industry was producing good show jumpers.
“I would like to have got an Irish-bred stallion that would throw jumpers, but we don’t have them.
“If you look at the winners in the young horse classes over the last few years, it’s nearly all warmblood crosses and, in my books, there is no such thing as the traditional Irish horse anymore,” said Daly.
“Obviously, others would disagree with me and I respect their opinion, but I’m basing my opinion on experience and results.”
“Newmarket Venture is doing very well, mostly in eventing.
“His strike rate is very good. For example, Annie Clover won the three-star in Bramham in England in the summer, and won silver at the World Breeding Championships for Young Event Horses at Le Lion dAngers a few years ago.
“Aoife Clarke is doing very well with Fernhill Adventure, who also won silver at the World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in 2103.
“In fact, if you take SRS Adventure’s performance this year, that’s three who brought home medals from Le Lion dAngers.
“Another Newmarket Venture offspring doing well is Newmarket Con, who was fourth in the class for four-year-olds in Dublin this year.
“He has gone to England, with William Fox-Pitt expected to ride him. I think he has a very bright future.”
Daly finished with three pieces of advice: “Pedigree, pedigree, pedigree. Do your homework and you won’t be disappointed.”
HSI breeder awards
Details of the Horse Sport Ireland Breeders Awards 2015 are as follows:
Irish sport horse (ISH) that contributed most to the Irish showjumping team in 2015, MHS Going Global (ISH), a 2006 gelding by Quidam Junior I (KWPN) out of Gowran Lady (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Ita Brennan and Tom Brennan, Co Kilkenny.
Irish sport horses that contributed to the Irish Nations Cup eventing team:
Rioghan Rua (ISH), 2007 chestnut mare by Jack Of Diamonds (SWB) out of Highland Destiny (ISH), by Flagmount King (ID). Breeder: Margaret Kinsella, Co Galway.
Westwinds Hercules (ISH), 2005 bay gelding by Ramiro B (BWP) out of Westwinds Clover (ISH) by Porter Rhodes (TB). Breeder: Alice Keogh, Wexford.
Cooley Rorkes Drift (ISH), 2006 gelding by Courage II (HOLST) out of Doon-A-Ree Lass (ISH), by Rachel Comet (TB). Breeder: William McCarrison, Co Down.
Irish sport horse medal winners at the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses, at Lanaken 2015:
MHS Washington (ISH) , 2008 mare by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) out of Mill Royale (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Ita Brennan, Co Kilkenny.
Talks Cheap (ISH), 2008 mare by Tinaranas Inspector (WESTF) out of Dreaming (ISH), by Colin Diamond (ISH). Breeder: Ronnie Kelly, Co Limerick.
Highest placed Irish sport horse at the World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses, Le Lion d’Angers 2015: SRS Adventure (ISH), 2009 gelding by Newmarket Venture (HANN) out of Newmarket Dato Two (ISH) by Aldato (KWPN). Breeder: Billy Daly, Co Cork.
Breeder of Top Irish sport horse showing mare 2015: Kilkeany Mystic (ISH), 2007 mare by Ghareeb (GB) (TB) out of Kilkeany Coolone (ISH) by Coolcorron Cool Diamond (ISH). Breeder: Margaret Walsh, Co Tipperary.
Breeder of Top Irish draught showing mare 2015: Elm View (ID), 2007 mare by Elm Hill (ID C1) out of Morning Glow (RID) by Sir Rivie (RID). Breeder: Raymond Sloyan, Co Mayo.
Irish sport horse mare that achieved highest scores at inspection 2015: Sliabh Papillon Breaker, 2012 mare by Boswell Mr Heartbreaker (ISH) out of Lady Rouge (ISH) by Papillon Rouge (SF). Breeder: Owen Horan, Co Galway.
Irish Draught mare that achieved highest scores at inspection 2015: Castleview Farmers Lady, 2013 mare by Tors Gentleman Farmer (ID C1) out of Castleview Princess (RID) by Coolcronan Wood (ID C1). Breeder: Kenneth and Wendy Bell, Derry.
Medal winner at the Pony European Eventing Championships: Millridge Buachaill Bui, 2005 gelding by Templebready Fear Bui (CP) out of Anna’s Girl (ISH).Breeder: Gerard D Leahy, Co Kildare.
Special award for breeding successful Irish sport horse mares: Marion Hughes, Co Kilkenn.
Outstanding contribution to Irish sport horse breeding award: Marily Power adn Susan Lanigan O’Keeffe, Suma Stud, Kilkenny.
