Return Of Mares 2025: all the information and stats

The Weatherbys Return of Mares to the 30th September 2025, just published, shows the number of live foals registered in The General Stud Book totals 11,374 (12,578 in 2024 and 13,438 in 2023).

3,872 are registered in GB (4,074 in 2024 and 4,356 in 2023) and 7,502 (8,504 in 2024 and 9,082 in 2023) in Ireland. This is a decrease of 1,204 foals compared to a decrease of 860 foals from 2023 to 2024. 

The total number of broodmares reported at stud in 2025 is 19,971 (21,578 in 2024 and 22,600 in 2023), a decrease of 1,607 compared to a decrease of 1,022 between 2023 and 2024. Of these, 2,348were not covered (2,205 in 2024 and 2,456 in 2023) of which 934 were in GB & 1,414 in Ireland. There were 5,482 no returns and a total of 202 were barren.

The number of stallions decreased by 15 in GB from 103 on 30/09/2024 to 88 in 2025 to date.  The number of stallions standing in Ireland decreased by 24, from 165 on 30/09/2024 to 141 in 2025 to date.

The leading stallion on number of coverings in 2025 was Affinisea at 314.

Behind Affinisea is Poet’s Word at 298, Sioux Nation at 282 and Maxios at 281.

• In GB 3,872 foals were registered to 30th September 2025, a decrease of 202 compared to 2024, comprisingof 1,971 colts (50.9%) and 1,901 fillies (49.1%), compared to 2,015 colts (49.46%) and 2,059 fillies (50.54%) in 2024.

• In Ireland 7,502 foals were registered to 30th September 2025, a decrease of 1,002 compared to 2024,comprising 3,781 colts (50.4%) and 3,721 fillies (49.6%), compared to 4,251 colts (49.99%) and 4,253 fillies (50.01%) in 2024.

• 5,440 mares in GB were covered in 2025 to date (77.23% of mares reported at stud) compared to 5,511(74.81%) mares on 30/09/2024.

• 10,016 mares in IRE were covered in 2025 to date (77.48% of mares reported at stud) compared to 10,472(73.69%) mares on 30/09/2024.

• 15,456 total recorded coverings recorded in GB and Ireland combined in 2025 compares to 15,983 on 30/09/2024 - a 3.3% decrease. 

• Number of stallions in GB has decreased by 15 in GB from 103 on 30/09/2024 to 88 in 2025 to date.  Note – the 2025 figure will increase as stallion notifications are frequently received in the following year.

• Number of stallions in Ireland has decreased by 24, from 165 on 30/09/2024 to 141 in 2025 to date.  Note – the 2025 figure will increase as stallion notifications are frequently received in the following year.

• Affinisea covered the highest number of mares at 314.