British and Irish Foal Crops on the Rise

[Wandering Eyes]

The number of foals born in Britain and Ireland in 2022 has again risen slightly, according to figures published by Weatherbys in its Return of Mares to September 30. The number of live foals registered to that date is 13,275, compared to 12,920 in 2021 and 12,778 in 2020.

That figure breaks down to 4,518 foals born in Britain, which is a rise of 6% from 4,282 in 2021. Ten years ago the British crop had droppped to 4,227, but it had climbed gradually to a recent high of 4,726 in 2018.

In Ireland, 8,757 foals were registered, a 1% rise from 8,638 last year, from a 2017 high point of 9,044.

The number of broodmares at stud rose accordingly, with 22,832 registered in 2022. In Britain, 6,610 mares were covered (82% of those reported at stud), while in Ireland that number was 11,398 (77%).

The numbers of stallions standing in Ireland has remained constant at 187, while in Britain there were 14 fewer in 2022, with a total of 125 at stud. The busiest stallion overall was the Whytemount Stud resident Affinisea (Ire), a Sea The Stars (Ire) half-brother to Soldier Of Fortune (Ire), who covered 374 mares. Another son of Sea The Stars standing under the National Hunt banner, Crystal Ocean (GB), covered 338.

Of the Flat stallions, Coolmore's Sioux Nation tops the charts with 255 mares covered, just head of Tally-Ho Stud's new recruit Starman (GB) in 254. His stable-mate Mehmas (Ire) was sent 249 mares, the same number as Coolmore resident Wootton Bassett (GB).

Overbury Stud's Ardad (Ire) was the busiest Flat stallion in Britain, covering 205 mares, while the champion sire Frankel (GB) covered 188.

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