Steve Parkin has been ordered by the Irish High Court to release covering certificates for mares in foal to the stallion Sands of Mali, after previously withholding them amid a dispute with his former adviser Joe Foley. Parkin’s refusal to issue these certificates, which confirm a stallion has covered a mare and the service has been paid for, caused significant disruption for breeders, including the cancellation of a sale that cost a vendor €32,000. The court ruling mandates that certificates be released upon proof of payment, providing crucial clarity ahead of the upcoming Goffs February Sale where several mares in foal to Sands of Mali are set to be sold.

The ongoing dispute between Parkin and Foley, which began in March 2024 and ended their 20-year partnership, has led to payments being held in escrow while the legal battle continues. The court’s decision aims to protect breeders’ interests and ensure smoother transactions during this contentious period in the Irish thoroughbred breeding industry.