BREEDING

Breeding and The Bloodstock Industry

Thoroughbred production takes place on a large scale across the world.
The majority is bred commercially to be traded in the form of foals, in-foal broodmares, empty broodmares
and fillies for breeding.
Owner/breeders – some on a colossal scale, some very small – breed to retain and race their young stock for the betterment of families and/or to create stallions and broodmares and/or to aim high in their own colours.

The principal European breeding stock sale at Tattersalls (Newmarket) in November/December is complemented by Goffs in Ireland and Arqana in France at similar times. In Lexington Kentucky, the enormous Keeneland November Sale in preceded by a smaller but valuable Fasig-Tipton event. Japan has an internationally notable sale of foals in Hokkaido in July while Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America offer trade in stock on the Southern Hemisphere cycle.

Allan Bloodlines is represented at these events, making purchases for individual investors, groups and overseas clients seeking to stock up with choice bloodlines, and managing the sale of stock.

The year-round activities of the breeding industry follow an intertwined cycle of mating studies and selections, commercial negotiation of stallion contracts, boarding farm selection, veterinary monitoring of mares for optimum conception conditions and caring for the mares until – all going well – the foal arrives under close human supervision. Gestation is approximately 11 months.

Some six months after birth, the foal will leave the mare prior to sale preparation soon afterwards (foal/weanling sales) or to grow for sale as a yearling, or sometimes direct placement into training. In the meantime, the mare should again be carrying the next generation thus sustaining the breeding cycle.

Allan Bloodlines provides breeding consultancy and management for commercial and hobby breeders, hands-off financial investors and international breeders seeking to upgrade their stock over time.