Field Sizes Remain at Threat from Dwindling Foal Crops

[Wandering Eyes]

The recently published Weatherbys Fact Book outlines the extent to which the foal crops have declined in Britain and Ireland, with the number born in Britain having contracted by 27 per cent over the last 20 years, while last year Ireland recorded its lowest figure since 2015.

With the caveat that late registrations could still boost the number of foals slightly, as of December 31, 2024, there were 8,887 foals registered in Ireland for that year. The lowest number recorded in the last two decades is 7,546 in 2012 when numbers took a sharp dip for five years around that time following the global financial crisis. The previous high had been 12,633 registered foals in Ireland in 2007.

In Britain, 4,198 foals have been recorded as born in 2024 to date, down seven per cent from 4,510 the previous year and from a high of 5,920 in 2008.

In his foreword to the Fact Book, Simon Cooper, director of the Weatherbys General Stud Book said, “In 1959, 65 years ago, the combined foal crop for Britain and Ireland was a little over 4,000, and 20 years later in 1979 it had doubled to 8,621. This continued to grow over the following 20 years and by 1999 our total combined foal crop stood at 13,115, before peaking in 2007 and 2008 at over 18,000, a 435 per cent increase in 50 years. That steady recovery since the financial crisis appears to have stalled, at least for now.”

He continued, “Of additional concern, there has been a disproportionate reduction in stallions compared to broodmares for the last 15 years: in round numbers stallion numbers have halved in that short period compared to a 25 per cent reduction in broodmares, resulting in us having the highest ratio of stallions to broodmares in the world at 1:60.”

Indeed, there has been much comment regarding the fact that only three new Flat stallions – Vandeek (GB), Bradsell (GB) and Issac Shelby (GB) – retired to stud in Britain for the 2025 season along with the potential dual-purpose sire Eldar Eldarov (GB). The number of retirees was larger in Ireland but overall stallion numbers are dwindling. To date, there are 189 stallions registered in Ireland, down from 221 in 2023 and 239 in 2022. In Britain there are 107, which represents a drop from 125 in 2023, 136 in 2022 and 147 in 2021. The team at Weatherbys expects the 2024 figures to rise slightly as new stallions are officially registered. 

There are 7,580 active broodmares recorded in Britain, again down from 8,191 in 2021, while 14,418 were recorded in Ireland. The 15,193 registered mares in Ireland for 2023 had risen from 14,852 the previous year and 14,505 in 2021.

France remains the biggest importer of both Irish-bred and British-bred horses, accounting for 1,074 combined in 2024. Whether or not President Trump's tariffs will affect the number being imported to America from these isles in years to come remains to be seen, but last year there were 304 Irish-breds and 117 British-bred horses permanently exported to the USA, making America the second-largest buyer of British and Irish bloodstock. 

Saudi Arabia imported 230 horses combined, while Italy accounted for 90 British-breds and 229 Irish-bred horses. Another 182 were exported to Australia from Britain and Ireland last year. 

When it comes solely to broodmares, India was the top importer of British mares (61) in 2024 while 53 left for France, 46 for Australia and 37 for Japan. In regard to Irish broodmares, 117 were exported from Ireland to France, 75 to America and 22 to Italy. 

Cooper referred to the impact the smaller breeding pools could have on field sizes at the races. He said, “The optimum field size for maximising turnover is 11 or 12 runners. Declining foal crops on both sides of the Irish Sea and, recognising that 60 per cent of the Irish foal crop is exported to Britain to race, potential average fields sixes of six to eight will have an enormous impact on the health and sustainability of our combined racing industries.”

The Weatherbys Fact Book for 2024 can be read online.

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