There was mixed news on Irish breeding for the first four months of 2017 writes Floyd Amphlett.
There were 787 litters registered with the Irish Stud Book, an increase of eleven over the equivalent period for 2016. However, the number of matings was down by 68 for roughly a 7% decline.
Why the variation in numbers? The first possibility is that there has been a very recent decline in breeding confidence, possibly brought about by the Dublin dispute following the closure of Harolds Cross.
The other significant factor in the figures is the ‘coursing effect’. While Irish racing is suffering a confidence issue, coursing is not, and coursing breeders want early year pups. Greyhounds born in the second half of the year face a significant disadvantage when aimed at the coursing classics.
Assuming both are factors, the number of litters, particularly track bred litters, whelped in 2017 looks set for a new low.
