Galway breeding operation stands alone in west on big stallion day

A stud farm on the outskirts of Galway City is the only one in the West of Ireland to feature in the third running of the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) Irish Stallion Trail which takes place this weekend.

In all, twenty-eight stud farms will open their doors across Ireland’s four provinces just before the official opening of the traditional covering season on St Valentine’s Day.

Currently seven of the top ten sires in Europe are standing in Ireland and the Stallion Trail offers breeders the opportunity to see these great stallions including at the world-famous Coolmore Stud in Fethard, Co Tipperary.

Flying the flag for Connacht is Eamonn Hogan’s burgeoning operation at Rosshill Farm at Roscam, midway between the city and Oranmore on the shores of Galway Bay.

Broodmare owners are invited to go along between 10am and 3pm on Saturday to inspect his three stallions — the established Gamut (the sire of Galway Plate and Lexus Chase winner Road to Riches) and the promising pair Tau Ceti (sire of four winners from only five runners) and the newest addition, Altruistic.

The latter, a high-class two year-old, placed in both the Beresford Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy, was unable to fulfil his racecourse potential due to a back injury in his classic year when he was a fancied outsider for the Epsom Derby.

The Group 1-placed son of Galileo is standing on behalf of his owner Dr Cryus Poonawalla, at a special introductory fee of €500 up front (no foal, free return).

“He’s a good-looking horse with a great walk and good bone, the type of stallion that would suit most mares,” said Hogan. “He should have plenty of appeal in the West of Ireland, being a high-class son of Galileo.”

As well as Road to Riches, Gamut has sired a host of other promising young horses and the best is yet to come from a stallion who this breeding season stands at a not unreasonable €3,000 covering fee (with half price terms for a filly foal).

“He’s really captured the attention of breeders and I couldn’t be happier with the reaction he’s got,” says Hogan.

Rosshill Farm’s third stallion Tau Ceti, a Group Three winning half brother to Breeder’s Cup Mile winner Domedriver, has a remarkable win-ratio record from his limited number of track representatives to date. “He’ll inject speed into NH mares,” added Hogan. “He showed a lot of pace in his races.”

Tau Ceti stands for €1,200, also with a half price discount for a filly foal. There will be a draw for a free stallion nomination for those who attend the open day at Rosshill Farm

• Phone Eamonn Hogan for details at 087 9175175 or 091 756899.