Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens Visit

Seventeen Old Belvedere Shedders visited the National Stud and Japanese Gardens.

The Irish National Stud (Tully) started in 1946 and was the first institution of its kind in the world with 1,000 acres divided into 100 acre paddocks. The wonderful fresh sweet grass enables the mare to produce the finest milk which is the essence of life to the suckling foal produced there and at her foot. Since its foundation in 1946 it has produced the winners of every important race in England and all Irish Classics. Its first stallion was Royal Charger who covered 3 mares Star Slipper, Spendthrift, and Keyboard.

Today its main stallion who is now a legend is Invincible Spirit who produces 60% of the revenues for the National Stud. They are aware of how dependent they are on this stallion.

The main attraction is much a walk through the magnificent outdoor grounds where you can view stallions, mares, and foals who are mostly very friendly and have got used to the many visitors who visit the National Stud over the years. Current and well-known horses that we viewed outdoors were Beef of Salmon, Hurricane Flyer, and Faugheen.

The indoor interactive Racing Experience is truly amazing, in fact, you could spend most of your day viewing all that is on display. Every aspect of horse racing, breeding, endless films of great races, legendary champions and great characters who have been part of racing and breeding over decades.

We also had time to walk around the magnificent Japanese Gardens, and finished our day with a most enjoyable late lunch in nearby Kildare Village.

Our appreciation and thanks to John Walsh (Past President of Naas RFC, Leinster Branch President 2020/21 who is also a global Bloodstock Agent and has a forensic knowledge of all aspects of breeding and racing around the world, and his assistance for our visit.