Huge support to end tax break for horse breeders

FOUR out of every five people living in the heartland of the Irish horse-racing industry believe that stud farm owners should not be exempt from tax.

Former Taoiseach Charles Haughey, while Finance Minister, introduced the tax exemption on breeding fees in 1969 to help the then fledgling industry.

But the exemption has become a major point of contention in recent years, as the industry has become an enormously successful one. The top stallion owners are making fortunes by not having to pay taxes.