The first stallion to arrive was HERON ISLAND and 34 mares visited him in his first season. His figures since his early years have steadily increased since and there will be over 110 foals due in 2006. His first crop were 5 year olds of 2005 and with only 18 around, it was always going to be a difficult start. He has 2 winners and 5 placed from only a handful of runners. He was a big hit at the sales in 2005, he had 24 stores offered at Goffs June & Tattersalls June and August sales and averaged e15,347 with top prices of e50,000, e34,000, e31,000, etc and most importantly, all passed the vet with sound wind certs. Trainers with Heron Island horses include Noel Meade, Ferdy Murphy, Philip Rothwell, Paul Nolan, Liam McAteer, Nicky Richards, Liam Burke, Jessica Harrington.
In 2001, the dual European Champion Snurge joined Heron Island at the stud and remained in Wexford for three seasons until his sale to Coolmore in December 2003.
In 2002 a bigger step was taken when GREAT PALM joined the roster. A proven sire of top class National Hunt stock with his early crops in France, Great Palm was acquired just before his son Great Love became one of the best juvenile hurdlers of his year, suffice to say that luck played a big part in his arrival to Co Wexford ! Great Palm has proved to be a major success, both with his runners and in the sales ring and has an outstanding book of mares due in ’06.
For 2005 American Turf star BIENAMADO joined us. From the same sire line as Great Palm and related to champion sires Nureyev, Sadler’s Wells and Fairy King, Bienamado was a high class, versatile and consistent horse on the track. He was a Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed at 2 years and at 3 years ran Montjeu to a head in the Group 2 Prix Niel. He then went the U.S.A where he became a multiple Group 1 winner and champion. He is a big horse who stands over 16.2hh and was well received by breeders in his first season and has a host of well bred mares in foal to him for 2006.
Montjeu was the sire sensation of 2005. The Coolmore based stallion sired an unprecedented three individual Classic winners in 2005 with his first crop of 3 year olds including horse of the year Hurricane Run. His full brother GOLD WELL joins the roster for 2006. Unraced himself, Gold Well stands 16.2hh and is by Sadler’s Wells and out of a mare by Top Ville, who must surely be one of the most potent National Hunt influences of recent years. A good looking and good walking horse, Gold Well has generated a lot of interest and a busy season is anticipated.
Arctic Tack has grown into a very busy and successful farm, from an initial start in 1999 when 34 passed through the gates. I am happy to say that many of those clients in the first year were still around in 2005.
All stallions in Arctic Tack are E.B.F nominated and hold wind soundness certificates.