Breeding during Covid-19
Weathering
THE STORM Breeders are prepared to face a challenging period as the world adjusts to the ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic but there remains a collective determination to work through it and capitalise on opportunities Words: Nancy Sexton
R
arely have thoroughbred breeders faced such a challenging time. The damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to the wider world, in particular the economy, casts a bleak outlook for the sales season that lies ahead, a period that for many breeders is vital to fuel their operation. The impact of the last downturn in 2008/9 on breeders was finely illustrated in the contraction of the British and Irish foal crops, which combined fell from 18,502 in 2007 to 11,192 in 2012. In the years since then, the figure has crept back up to around 14,500 but it would be
Melba Bryce (centre) of Laundry Cottage Stud pictured with staff members Dempsey Powell (left) and Jane Reed
folly to think that another contraction – most likely a significant one – won’t now be again forthcoming. Given that the majority of stallion nomination contracts for 2020 would have been signed prior to the outbreak, it will be several years until we gain a full
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LAUNDRY COTTAGE STUD
“I am a believer in cycles and I suspect that we are entering a trough”
THOROUGHBRED OWNER BREEDER
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11/06/2020 15:09
