Weatherbys Return of Mares: Number of live foals rises again

The Weatherbys Return of Mares to the 30th September 2022, just published, shows the number of live foals registered to date in The General Stud Book totals 13,275 (12,920 in 2021 and 12,778 in 2020).

4,518 are registered in GB (4,282 in 2021 and 4,236 in 2020) and 8,757 (8,638 in 2021 and 8,542 in 2020) in Ireland. This is an increase of 355 foals compared to an increase of 142 foals from 2020 to 2021.

The total number of broodmares reported at stud in 2022 is 22,832 (22,720 in 2021 and 22,362 in 2020), an increase of 112 compared to an increase of 358 between 2020 and 2021. Of these, 2,546 were not covered (2,949 in 2021 and 2,667 in 2020) of which 1,034 were in GB & 1,512 in Ireland. There were 6,220 no returns and a total of 233 were barren.

The number of stallions decreased by 14 in GB from 125 in on 30/09/2021 to 111 in 2022 to date and remained constant at 187 in Ireland.

The leading stallion on number of coverings in 2022 was Affinisea at 374. Behind Affinisea is Crystal Ocean at 338, Order of St George at 278 and Blue Bresil at 256.

• In GB 4,518 foals were registered to 30th September 2022, an increase of 236 compared to 2021, comprising of 2,248 colts (49.76%) and 2,270 fillies (50.24%), compared to 2,166 colts (50.58%) and 2,116 fillies (49.42%) in 2021.

• In Ireland 8,757 foals were registered to 30th September 2022, an increase of 119 compared to 2021, comprising 4,394 colts (50.18%) and 4,363 fillies (49.82%), compared to 4,412 colts (51.08%) and 4,226 fillies (48.92%) in 2021.

• 6,610 mares in GB were covered in 2022 to date (82.32% of mares reported at stud) compared to 6,725 (81.78%) mares on 30/09/2021.

• 11,398 mares in IRE were covered in 2022 to date (77% of mares reported at stud) compared to 11,247 (77.58%) mares on 30/09/2021.

• 18,008 total recorded coverings recorded in GB and Ireland combined in 2022 compares to 17,972 on 30/09/2021 - a 0.2% increase.

• Number of stallions in GB has decreased by 14 from 125 on 30/09/2021 to 111 in 2022 to date. Note – the 2022 figure will increase as stallion notifications are frequently received in the following year.

• Number of stallions in Ireland has remained constant at 187 on 30/09/2021 compared to 2022 to date. Note – the 2022 figure will increase as stallion notifications are frequently received in the following year.

• Affinisea covered the highest number of mares at 374