AFFINISEA

Whytemount Stud. Fee: €6,000

By Sea The Stars, he is a three-parts brother to Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune, and sold for €850,000 as a foal. He only made it to the track twice, winning a maiden, but he has done rather better at stud, gaining an early following due to his good looks and pedigree. He has built a solid profile with his initial crops, the oldest of which are seven-year-olds. His best known winners are Albert Bartlett Hurdle runner-up Affordale Fury and recent Grade 2 novice chase winner Only By Night.

BLUE POINT

Kildangan Stud. Fee: €100,000

The brilliant four-time Group 1-winning sprinter has made a sensational start to stud. He has sired three Group 1 winners in his first crop, led by Rosallion, a classic winner and miler of the highest class. He joines an elite group to have sired as many Group 1 winners so early in their careers, notably Sadler’s Wells and Sea The Stars. His second crop is headed by Group 2 winner Sky Majesty and he looks set to be a source of top-class talent for many years.

CHURCHILL

Coolmore Stud. Fee: €20,000

The champion two-year-old of 2016 and champion three-year-old miler of 2017, this impressive specimen by Galileo has continued that prowess into his stud career. He has sired the tremendous performers Vadeni (French Derby/Eclipse Stakes) and Blue Rose Cen (French 1000 Gns/French Oaks) from his first two crops alone plus a plethora of group race winners over the full range of distances since. More stars are likely to emerge in subsequent crops.

HARZAND

Kilbarry Lodge Stud. Fee: on application

The dual Derby winner moved to Con O’Keeffe’s Co Waterford farm for the 2024 season and proved very popular. He is still producing quality flat horses, notably the Group 3 winner Caught U Looking who made 1.8 million guineas at the Tattersalls December Sale. However, his oldest purpose-bred NH stock are just five-year-olds and includes the unbeaten Irish juvenile hurdler Hello Neighbour plus very promising point-to-point winners Road Exile, Suburban Legend and Starzand. A proper dual-purpose stallion, with the best certainly yet to come from his jumping stock.

JEU ST ELOI

Glenview Stud. Fee: On application

Failed to win over jumps on the track in France but hails from the same family as quality sire Balko. Quickly made a name for himself in his native country, siring 15 blacktype performers, specialising in smart juveniles. Spent his first season at Rathbarry Stud in 2024 where he covered a large book of mares, which coincided with the emergence of his best produce, Willie Mullins’ dual Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler Kargese. Likely to be an emerging force in the years to come.

NEW BAY

Ballylinch Stud. Fee: €75,000

The son of Dubawi was a top-class runner, winning the French Derby and finishing 3rd in the Arc. He also hails from one of Juddmonte Stud’s finest families, that of Oasis Dream and Kingman. In keeping with such breeding, he has become a successful young sire, producing three Group 1 winners from his first two crops; Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Bayside Boy, Champion Stakes winner Bay Bridge and Sun Chariot Stakes winner Saffron Beach. The most recent star to emerge is the 2024 Champagne Stakes winner Bay City Roller.

ORDER OF ST GEORGE

Castlehyde Stud. Fee: €6,000

The brilliant stayer, who won 3 Group 1 races and finished 3rd in the Arc, has made a fine start with his first crop who are now five-year-olds. He has sired several who look above average, notably the smart bumper mares Seo Linn (listed winner) and Future Prospect. It is important, for NH breeders especially, for a sire to produce quality fillies and he is doing that at this early stage. He has also sired several promising point-to-point winners and looks like one to watch in 2025.

SIOUX NATION

Coolmore Stud. Fee: €30,000

A classy sprinter who won the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at two and finished third in the Flying Five Stakes at three, he is by the hugely influential Scat Daddy. He has made a name for himself from the start, siring good-looking, genuine runners, including 12 group race winners in Europe plus a Group 1 winner in Australia. Importantly, they are not just sprinters, with several staying further than a mile. Having started his stud career at a fee of €12,500, he is now commanding a fee of €30,000.

MEHMAS

Tally-Ho Stud. Fee: €70,000

The champion first and second-crop sire in 2020 and 2021, he has built on that initial success, siring three Group 1-winning two-year-olds in 2024; National Stakes winner Scorthy Champ, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Magnum Force and Prix Marcel Boussac winner Vertical Lady. He is far from a new kid on the block and is well established as a source of high quality speed horses especially but has genuine classic contenders for 2025. He already has several sons at stud and looks set to be a mainstay of top-quality Irish breeding for many years to come.

WINGS OF EAGLES

The Beeches. Fee: €4,000

Trained by Aidan O’Brien to win the 2017 Derby, the son of Pour Moi comes from a tremendous French damline. He stood his first season in France, where he sired two listed winners on the flat, before being repatriated to Ireland. His oldest Irish crop are now five-year-olds and includes dual bumper-winning mare, including in listed company, Churchfield Sunset, in addition to many other winners plus several point-to-point scorers. He is one to watch for 2025. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE ITM IRISH STALLION TRAIL