Leneva Park’s Operations Manager, Brian Byrnes, marvels at how both Fierce Impact (JPN) and Royal Meeting (IRE) have taken to their new job.
The sons of breed-shapers Deep Impact and Invincible Spirit, respectively, are stopping their mares in double-quick time. In Fierce Impact’s case, that is literally.
“Early days, he had a couple of twin positives,” Byrnes said.
“You think OK, that’s normal. But as the season has rolled on, they have just kept coming.
“We had a 16-year-old mare with a chequered breeding history go in foal to Fierce Impact with twins at her first cover. It says a lot about his fertility.
“We could not have asked for a better first season; it’s as simple as that. He loves his work, and he is very fertile.”
Byrnes said the word is getting around, and mare owners are responding.
“We’re still taking good numbers of bookings because of his fertility,” Byrne enthused.
“Breeders have heard how well he’s going and they don’t want to take risks at this stage of the season.
“Swettenham Stud released some very compelling statistics about Stakes Winners and foaling dates this season. October and November foals are definitely punching well above their weight and leading earlier foals by a margin when it comes to stakes wins this season.
“Naturally speaking, this is the perfect time to be breeding. Your mares have had the best of the spring grass, and their foals will get the same next year. If you breed now, the chances are you’re going to be growing out a very strong and healthy foal.”
The first foals of Royal Meeting (IRE) are hitting the ground this spring.
Breeders are reacting positively to what they see, resulting in the Group 1 Criterium International winner covering a considerably bigger book this year.
“We knew Royal Meeting was potent, and he’s gone alone really well again this season,” Byrne said.
“Having been with the horse since his first cover, I am so very proud that he has covered 25% more mares in his second season and well over 100 mares.
“His foals are outstanding. When Mike O’Donnell and Michael Kirwan are giving them the thumbs up, you know you’ve got quality on the ground.”
