Key industry figures such as Mags O’Toole, Richard Kent, and Ana O’Brien praised the Irish Stallion Trail this year. Kent, a first-time attendee, expressed admiration for the quality of stallions in Ireland and planned to send his best mares to visit them. O’Brien also found the trail to be a valuable experience, highlighting the opportunity to see top stallions like Lope De Vega and Mehmas in person.

The trail attracted a mix of domestic and international visitors, with Eastern European interest growing due to declining breeding industries in those countries. Bloodstock agent Thomas Janda organized a group of 65 people from Eastern Europe to visit the studs, noting a preference for middle-distance and staying stallions. The tour generated interest and potential business opportunities for breeders and owners from the region.

Participants like Tom Whitehead and Mags O’Toole expressed enthusiasm for the new stallions they encountered, with O’Toole singling out Shouldvebeenaring as a standout first-season sire. The event showcased a variety of top stallions, attracting attention from breeders and industry professionals looking to make breeding decisions based on their firsthand experiences with the horses.