'It's becoming more common' - leading Irish breeder offers explanation on why foal crop numbers are declining
Polarisation in the breeding sector is leading to an increased demand for elite stallions, leaving the middle tier of the industry in a precarious position. That is the view of Micheal Orlandi, proprietor of County Westmeath-based Compas Stallions and regional director for the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, after figures released recently revealed that foal numbers in Britain are dropping at an alarming rate.
The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's predicted the decline to be as big as 25 per cent between 2022 and 2026.
Last year there were 8,887 foals born in Ireland, down from 9,569 in 2023, with the 2024 figure the first time the number has dipped below 9,000 since 2015.
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