World-Leading Breeders
Britain has the highest proportion of world-class thoroughbreds relative to the total number of thoroughbred births, indicating quality bloodlines and breeding operations.
Suffix |
Average no. turf horses rated ≥ 120 (2015-2020) |
|---|---|
 (GB) |
9 (foal crop 4,500) |
 (IRE) |
13 (foal crop 9,000) |
 (AUS) |
7 (foal crop 13,000) |
 (JPN) |
7 (foal crop 7,000) |
 (USA) |
2 (foal crop 20,000) |
 (FR) |
2 (foal crop 6,500) |
The success of Britain’s comparatively small foal crop demonstrates quality over quantity.
To say England is brimming with stallion power would be an understatement.
John Gunther, owner-breeder, Glenwood Farms, Kentucky
Britain is the chosen home of international racing and breeding operations including Darley, Juddmonte Farms, Shadwell and Qatar Racing.
The British breeding industry is underpinned by a vibrant stallion market.
Back in 2011, British-based sires accounted for only 17% of the mares visiting 20k-plus stallions. But by 2019 its share had burgeoned to 40% of that market.
John Boyce, The Owner Breeder
Britain is home to world-class stallions including...
Dubawi:
- Sire of 2020 World’s Best Racehorse, Ghaiyyath.
- Sire of over 200 Stakes winners.
- Highest yearling median of any stallion in Europe.
Kingman:
- 16 Stakes winners in 2020 including Gr.1 winners Persian King, Palace Pier & Domestic Spending.
- Outstanding winners to runners rate of 46%.
Frankel:
- The fastest European sire to 40 Group winners in history.
- Exceptional 11% Group winners to runners rate.
…as well as proven commercial stallions…
The European stallions whose 2020 yearlings sold the best by fee multiples were all British sires: Kingman (7.3x 2018 fee), Sir Percy (7.2x) and Farhh (6.8x).
- Sea The Moon yearlings in Tattersalls Books 1 & 2 averaged over 10x his 2018 fee and nearly 7x his 2021 fee (£22,500).
- Sir Percy yearlings in Tattersalls Book 2 averaged over 16x his 2018 fee (2021 fee remains at £7,000).
- Rajasinghe foals averaged nearly 6x his 2019 fee and nearly 10x 2021 fee (down to £3,500).
…and exceptional broodmare sires.
Oasis Dream’s tally of 18 Stakes winners in 2020 was unmatched by any northern hemisphere-broodmare sire aged 20 or under. Those winners included 4 Group 1 winners and 20 Group winners.
The stallions whom I would call 'elite' are currently in Europe – Dubawi, Kingman, Galileo and Frankel.
John Camilleri, owner, Fairway Thoroughbreds, Australia