Inbreeding poses major threat to Ireland’s thoroughbred horse sector
Study shows Ireland was the second-biggest player in the €2bn global breeding business
Horse geneticist Emmeline Hill said if inbreeding is unchecked, it would continue to increase, given the high demand in the business for particular bloodlines of successful sires. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons.
A significant rise in inbreeding in the thoroughbred horse sector poses threats for Ireland’s valuable breeding business, according to a new study.
Irish horses made €338 million in sales at public auctions in 2016, according to a Deloitte report on the sector. That makes the country the second-biggest player in what was a €1.89 billion business that year.