Breeders’ dispute unlikely to escalate

FEARS that a simmering dispute between rival international horse-breeding operations could escalate into open warfare and destabilise the multi-million dollar industry have been dismissed by industry leaders.

It is believed the reported refusal of Sheikh Mohammed to buy yearlings sired by stallions from the Irish-owned Coolmore at the recent Keeneland sales in America has been borne of frustration by the mid-eastern potentate with the Irish operation.

Neither the Sheikh, nor his brothers Hamdan, Maktoum and Ahmed, purchased Coolmore-sired progeny, despite a total investment of $57 million (€46.9m) in bloodstock at the sales. The intention, according to sources, was to give the Irish operation a gentle hint that there is more than one major stud operation in the world.