HORSE Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh has expressed concern about the decline in the use of Thoroughbred stallions in the Irish Sport Horse sector.

Foal registration figures released by Horse Sport Ireland today (Thursday) showed that in 2010 only 12 per cent of Irish Sport Horse foals were the progeny of Thoroughbred stallions, 30 per cent were by Irish Draught Stallions, 29 per cent were by foreign breed sires with 24 per cent being by Irish Sport Horses.

The percentage of foals by Thoroughbred stallions has been declining in recent years. The percentage in 2005 was 23 per cent.

Joe Walsh said that of particular concern was the small number of foals resulting from Irish Draught mares covered by Thoroughbred sires.

"Ireland has led the world in the breeding of event horses for 14 of the past 15 years.

"When you look at the breeding of horses that have led to our success in the world rankings there is a significant influence from Thoroughbred blood.

"In advance of the next breeding season Horse Sport Ireland will be addressing the issue with a view to introducing a number of initiatives to deal with this trend.

"There has been a focus on improving the breeding of show jumpers in Ireland and this will continue but not all our mares are suited to breeding show jumpers and we must not lose focus of the need to retain our position in eventing," he said.

HSI Chairman Joe Walsh