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Derrinstown Stud: A success story

DUBLIN — Leading international horse owner and breeder Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minsiter of Finance, purchased the Derrinstown Stud in 1982. It has been developed since then from 75 acre farm to over 2000 acres today.

The Derrinstown Group now consists of ten farms, all designed and purpose-built to the highest standard.

There are seven stallions on the farm all of whom performed to the highest level on the race track.

“We combine quality service with good value here in Derrinstown,” said Stephen Collins, general manager of the Derrinstown Stud.

“The stallion fees are very reasonable and at the same time this will help us in limiting the number of mares which our stallions cover,” he added.

“Intikhab continues to produce tough and talented individuals, highlighted in 2009 by the multiple stakes performers including Gal and Shamakiya.

“He also went close to Group-1 glory with Lexiens and Les Fazzani.

“Last year’s promising two year old Snow Fairy was placed twice before flying high to land the Gr-1 Epsom Oaks this season,” he said.

“Snow Fairy justified the confidence of her connections when the filly snatched her first Group-1 victory.

“The brilliant filly caught the eyes and stood hot favourite to win the Irish Oaks,” he said.

Snow Fairy’s outstanding victory came hot on the heels of two other Stakes winners for Intikhab in Les Fazzani and Kidnapping.

“The past year has been a memorable one for Derrinstown Stud. The excitement surrounding the arrival of our two new stallions, Tamayuz and Haatef really caught the industry’s imagination and we were delighted with the response they got from breeders,” he said.

“Ireland has long been recognised as one of the world’s leading thoroughbreds nurseries, in part due to the ideal climate and countryside we enjoy. But just as important is the natural Irish affinity between horse and man, developed over many generations,” he explained.

“Derrinstown Stud has some of the best facilities to be found anywhere in the world. From the modern, airy stables blocks, to the rich, lush paddocks and the state-of-the-art veterinary equipment, only the best does for the best,” he said.

But, apart from the services on offer at the Derrinstown Stud, Shaikh Hamdan has his own personal operation in two venues where he keeps 40 mares at the Ballygoran and Moneycooley Studs. “In these two farms only the horses which race in the colours of Shaikh Hamdan are bred. There’s nothing on offer for outside clients,” Mirza Al Sayegh, director of the Shaikh Hamdan office said.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com