The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Michael Creed T.D. has today welcomed the approval by Fáilte Ireland of €1.9 million in grant assistance to the Irish National Stud (INS) for its Irish Racehorse Experience (IRE) project.
Minister Creed extended his thanks to Fáilte Ireland for its collaboration with the Irish National Stud:
The project demonstrates the positive outcomes that can be achieved when there is effective collaboration between State agencies on a project of common interest.
Minister Creed also paid tribute to the board, management and staff of the INS for their business foresight and innovation in developing the tourism sector of the business.
This is a very different project for the Irish National Stud. It complements the core business well, and I have no doubt that it will add an exciting element to any visitors experience once it is complete.
The Irish Racehorse Experience will celebrate the excellence of Irish Horses and Irish Horsemen worldwide. It will explain the origins of the Irish connection with thoroughbred horses, and will demonstrate the diversity of talent and activity which has evolved around this passion.
It will be built on an easy to understand narrative of “Birth to Old Age “and will provide an insight into the dream of being connected with a racehorse, whether it be through breeding, owning, training, working with horses, or simply following the career of a thoroughbred.
From the point of view of the INS, the project will increase dwell time, lengthen the open season, increase visitor numbers and in turn increase revenue from 2020 onwards
The IRE development will take one year to complete with a projected cost of €3.2 million. The balance of the development costs will come from INS own resources.
Note for Editors
Irish National Stud
Background
The farm at Tully Co. Kildare was purchased from the Fay family in 1900 by Colonel William Hall Walker. Hall Walker became the most successful breeder of the age, enjoying his finest hour when King Edward VII led Minoru, born and raised at Tully, into Epsom’s winners’ enclosure following a famous victory in the 1909 Derby.
In 1945 the Irish National Stud Company Ltd. was formed and it officially took over the running of the Stud on 31st August, 1946.
Current Situation
The INS combines four separate but interlinked business operations of stallion services, tourism, education and horticultural activities which include:
- 127,000 visitors to Stud during tourist season, over half from overseas
- Thoroughbred and horse racing industry employs 29,000 people either directly or indirectly in Ireland
- Japanese Gardens renowned throughout the world and finest of their kind in Europe
- St. Fiachra’s Garden designed in 1999 - commemorates patron saint of gardeners
- 7 stallions standing at INS in 2019.
- Leading stallion Invincible Spirit commands a service fee of €120,000 has produced 119 Stake winners, and 18 Group-1-winners- including 3 in 2018.
- 2 new stallions Decorated Knight and National Defense added to INS book in 2018
- Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Course established in 1971 renowned for providing world class training for young people interested in a career in the equine industry.
- In 2018 the Irish National Stud Mare Syndicate was launched for those who have dreamed of owning breeding and selling high quality bloodstock.
- The new initiative, INS Racing, aims to bring involvement in the sport and industry into the reach of fans across Ireland and the wider world.
- Horse Museum which contains skeleton of Arkle (3 times Gold Cup Winner)
- Unique education opportunity for school children to view racehorses close up
Organisation
- INS is a Commercial Semi State Body under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine.
- Chief Executive Mr. Cathal Beale.
- Chairman Mr. Matt Dempsey.
- 46 Full time staff employed.
- Stud comprises 846 acre site.