Micheál Orlandi

Compas Stallions/Starfield Stud

What conclusions did you draw from the 2023 foal sales?

Goffs did a great job and were duly rewarded. Tattersalls seemed to be more of an ‘all duck or no dinner’ scenario. But in reality, we are all aware of where the market is at. The yearling market was not easy and, as brave as the pinhookers might be, they are no fools and considered all before reinvesting. Sire power is becoming more and more relevant, albeit not as much as in the National Hunt market. It is evident that the National Hunt foal market is driven by a handful of stallions at the moment but when I look at point-to-point or track results, winners seems to come from many places.

In short, we have to take note of where we are at as an industry and as a sport. Production costs are rising, the Covid money and mentality is gone. We have high inflation and Government elections looming. We predominately produce a product for the British market and their economy is in no great shape at the moment, so it is evident that people will need to box clever, going forward. There will be winners and losers, as always, and we can just hope that clearance rates don’t dive further across the board.

Did you change your covering fees for 2024 and what were your reasons for changing or not changing?

We reduced them slightly in line with the market and the stages that our stallions are at in their career. Dubawi Legend will welcome his first foals this year and we await their arrival with bated breath. We have two exciting stallions with their first runners in 2024 in the shape of Far Above and King Of Change. I must also mention Galileo Chrome, albeit he is predominately a National Hunt sire. He will have a handful of flat runners with his oldest crop turning two also. We have Kuroshio, who is firmly becoming a stalwart of the roster and a real fan favourite. He is a stallion who produces winners and stakes horses year on year and is priced accordingly.

Do you expect covering numbers to be up or down at your farm next season and why?

A new stallion normally increases footfall and thus your covering numbers. With no new sire this year, and considering the current market, I expect numbers might be down slightly on last year. However, with a few early winners by Far Above and King Of Change, and some cracking first foals by Dubawi Legend, we will be back with all guns blazing.

In your opinion, which parts of the racing/breeding industry are doing best at the moment and which parts are under most pressure?

The re-sale market for form horses is expanding consistently. We’ve had Hong Kong, the USA and Australia for some time but the Middle East is really exploding. Unlike America and Australia, the Middle East has no real domestic breeding programme. They are not limited, like Hong Kong, and from Bahrain to Riyadh, more racing carnivals are being developed. Their programme is increasing and they need horses to fill their cards. As we have seen at recent HIT sales, the demand for top form horses is invariably growing. It could be time for more breeders to register a set of colours and take the long road with the stock they are producing.

Outside of your own stallions, what sire has surprised you in the past year?

It is easy to say Havana Grey. I’m delighted for Ed Player and his team at Whitsbury Manor. He is a remarkable stallion. I must admit, however, I did not expect him to develop into one of the most exciting and progressive sires in Europe and maybe even the world. But the stallion who amazes me consistently is the living legend and industry-changing sire, Dubawi. It might not be a surprise to some but I sometimes wonder if he gets the credit that he deserves? He has four top class sons at stud in Night Of Thunder, Zarak, New Bay and now, Too Darn Hot. I can imagine he’ll have more in the coming years, one hopefully being Dubawi Legend.

What is the biggest challenge facing the industry at the moment?

Markets ebb and flow, and so be it, but racing is what it is all about. Here in Britain and Ireland, racing has been tripping along to some degree. We have seen other racing jurisdictions explode with vitality, prize money, ownership and fan following. Other nations were proactive while we assumed that we would remain top of the pops for forevermore. We are always making excuses as to why Britain and Ireland can’t be compared to Australia, Hong Kong, et cetera but flat racing is a global sport and, as such, can and should be compared globally. We should be more proactive in nurturing and growing racing as a sport and not solely as a betting medium. It is a sport that engages everyone from kids to grandparents and people of all sexes, races and creeds. It should be celebrated and cherished.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start a breeding enterprise?

Oh, tough question. Obviously at this stage I will presume that they have gained all the experience that they can, so I would say: