BY its name, the ITM Irish Stallion Trail suggests a world in which the male of the species is the centre of attention.

Indeed, the racing and bloodstock industry is dominated by men but there are some very influential women in the sector too.

Looking through the list of participating studs, a significant number of them are either owned or managed by formidable females. Names that immediately spring to mind include Catherine Cashman and her daughter Niamh Woods at Rathbarry/Glenview Studs, Anne O’Callaghan (Tally-Ho), Annette O’Callaghan (Yeomanstown), Catherine Magnier (Grange), Madeline Burns (Rathasker), Linda Coffey (Springfield House), Debbie McCarthy (The Beeches), Jane Foley (Ballyhane) and Liz Connolly (Burgage).

Another farm that runs primarily on ‘girl power’ is Moyglare Stud in Maynooth, Co Kildare.

When Swiss native Eva-Maria Bucher Haefner took over Moyglare in 2012 she got straight down to business to maintain the impressive track record the farm had held since the 1960s.

“Eva-Maria agreed to take over from her late father Walter Haefner, on the proviso that her role would be more than simply leading in a horse at the races,” commented her long-time bloodstock advisor Fiona Craig.

“She spoke English then, but not as fluently as she does now, and settled down to learn about the stud, the horses and the people.”

Moyglare Stud has since won multiple awards for their breeding successes, including the Connolly’s Red Mills/The Irish Field Flat Racing Breeder of the Year in 2019/’20.

Legacy

Walter Haefner had left quite a legacy, having bred such Group 1 winners as Be My Guest, Refuse To Bend and Dance Design.

More recently we have seen Free Eagle, Search For A Song, and Kyprios, which is co-owned with Coolmore partners and Westerberg. Remarkably all three are from the same dam Polished Gem – a testament to the incredible programme which continues at Moyglare Stud.

“Today Eva-Marie is fully involved in all the decisions as regards the buying and selling of horses, the matings and forward planning for the stud.”

“As one of the private investors in the Curragh – and sponsor of the Moyglare Stud Stakes – her knowledge, input and assistance throughout the Irish bloodstock industry continues much as it did in her father’s day.”

Cornwall-born Fiona Craig can also take a bow for her role in this remarkable story.

Early days

She recalls the early days. “In 1989 I did some work at Fasig-Tipton for the then Moyglare manager, Stan Cosgrove, picking out some mares to go to Sadler’s Wells. He subsequently asked me to help with some pedigree work on a part-time basis. It evolved into helping with the matings and the sales. Mr Haefner was very keen for me to work with, and encourage Eva, in her early days.”

True to her word Craig did just that, and her knowledge too has been invaluable. Some 35 years later she continues to represent the stud both at home and abroad. Together with Eva-Maria and her family, they have watched home-breds, and Moyglare Stud-owned horses, winning at racetracks worldwide.

Abbeville Stud

Another friendship that has stood the test of time is that of Abbeville Stud owner Eimear Mulhern and her long-time manager Beverley O’Keeffe.

A native of Cashel, Co Tipperary, O’Keeffe first joined the team at Meadow Court Stud on July 2nd 1990. The 210-acre farm outside Kildare town had been purchased by Eimear and her late husband John Mulhern in 1988. They moved to the new premises in 1989. At the time it was known as Abbeville & Meadow Court, the former being the farm owned by Eimear’s late father Charles J. Haughey.

“I had just finished a course in Dublin and sent out letters to a few places looking for work. Eimear was the first to reply,” O’Keeffe commented.

“Back then I was working in the yard in the morning and the office in the afternoon. It was very busy as we had our own mares, as well as some boarding, and we were also pinhooking, so after a few years my role became primarily office-based.”

Among the many good horses to have been bred at Meadow Court was Homme De Loi. “He was a Group 1 winning son of Law Society out of the Ballymore mare Our Village, who was one of Eimear’s foundation mares,” O’Keeffe noted.

As the stud grew, so too did the staff numbers. Some came and went, but not O’Keeffe. “When I went to work there, I said I’d go for two years and then travel. But the furthest I ever got was Cashel on the bus!”

Meadow Court was sold in 2016 and Eimear Mulhern purchased a 110-acre farm at the other side of Kildare town. Even though mare numbers have since been reduced, they continue to breed to sell and also foal down mares for many of their long-time clients.

In 2022 they consigned a yearling filly by Ten Sovereigns which topped the Sportsman’s Sale at Goffs when knocked down to Rabbah Bloodstock and Kilfrush Stud for €300,000.

“I thoroughly enjoy my job!” O’Keeffe said. “I love liaising with mare owners and chatting to stallion owners on the phone during the breeding season. We have a great team here and we pride ourselves in sending mares home looking well and with a nice foal. We are proud of the work we do.”

Goffs chairman of 20 years, Eimear Mulhern recalls the day O’Keeffe came to work with her. “Beverley came to me straight out of college as a young girl. Even though she had a background in horses from home, she learnt on the job. She taught herself bookwork and managed everything from the start. She has been totally my right arm which has allowed me to do other things within the industry. She is also a very good friend. She is passionate beyond belief and has a great eye for a horse.”

Rising stars

Over the years Ireland has produced some tremendous young female talent through the various equine courses. Among these rising stars are Godolphin Flying Start graduate Caoimhe Doherty, manager of Tony Smurfit’s Forenaghts Stud in Naas which recently sold a yearling for €500,000. Caoimhe is also co-founder of Treo Eile, the organisation which does such good work in retraining and rehoming retired racehorses.

Winner of the ITBA Next Generation Award in 2020, Clare Manning is a graduate of the Irish National Stud. She is now managing the family’s Boherguy Stud, from where she has sent out numerous sale-toppers since starting her own consigning business in 2019.

Irish National Stud breeding manager Helen Boyce enrolled in the course in 1987. She has been there ever since and is now heading into her 38th season.

“I grew up in Canada on a few different private stud farms and was always involved in horses,” she commented. “I studied at the University of Guelph and then worked on studs and for a trainer in Canada prior to doing two seasons in New Zealand for David and Masey Benjamin.

“After the course I was kept on, first to do yearlings. I was then a veterinary assistant and moved through various other rolls within the INS.”

Each year the stud’s foaling unit sees the arrival of between 250 and 300 foals under the care of the dedicated foaling team. Boyce is responsible for ensuring the smooth running from start to finish.

“There is a great variety in my role. I get to meet clients and meet a lot of people. We also have students coming in every year.

“There is great fulfilment and pleasure in facilitating breeders in their quest to produce their next champion. In my time with the INS we have been lucky enough to breed Irish classic winners. We have also helped clients sell their stock, including My Typhoon who sold as a foal for a then record-breaking price of 1.8 million guineas. I also had the privilege of being involved in the career of Invincible Spirit who was our flagship stallion for a number of years.”

Looking ahead to 2025, Helen Boyce said she is looking forward to seeing the first northern hemisphere runners for Lucky Vega and Nando Parrado. “We are also looking forward to working with Shouldvebeenaring and he starts his career at stud, and to welcoming breeders and visitors to the stud and facilities to showcase our industry.”

Wise words

Getting ahead in this male-dominated industry can be tough for any woman, but Fiona Craig has wise words for those hoping to make a name for themselves. “Work harder than you ever thought you could,” she said. “Listen and learn every day and remember that you will never know enough. Treat everyone you meet with respect, talk to all these people, whether it be the high-powered trainer or the guy shovelling up the dung in the yard. They all have information to give, with often the most coming from the guy with the shovel.

“And whatever you do, don’t ever expect anyone to make room for you because you are a woman. It is a level playing field and you have to earn any role you decide you want on merit and mutual respect.” CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE ITM IRISH STALLION TRAIL