Autumn colours at The National Stud
The best time of the year to visit is probably in the spring when all the mares have had their foals. Autumn, which is when I visited, is a quick second when the leaves are beginning to change and the countryside is turning into a kaleidoscope of colours and designs. The Japanese Gardens attached to the stud are unbelievably impressive at this time of year.
Exceptionally cute miniature horses. The foal is only a week old!
We took a tour of the stud with one of the staff, we were introduced to the miniature horses (unbelievably cute) the Connemara ponies (unbelievably friendly) and the retired big earners (unbelievably aloof, they know they're special!) I can't remember the exact figure the guide said the four geldings, Beef or Salmon, Moscow Flyer, Vintage Crop and Kicking King, earned during their careers but it was in the millions.
Some champion Irish horses, they're special and they know it!
About here is where the tour descended into sex and money. We learned about Tommy the Teaser, a Connemara pony who has the toughest job in the stud. I'll let you use your imagination to figure out what role he plays. We moved on to the stallion paddock where we met Invincible Spirit the stud's top earner. If you want to bring your mare to "visit" him it'll cost you €65,000. He is very obliging and manages about 150 "covers" a year. Do the maths... (OK I'll do it for you, it's €9,750,000) It was about this time on the tour that I figured out we were all mugs to be investing our money in banks!
The virile Invincible Spirit!
The Japanese Gardens are attached to the stud, they are small but perfectly formed. Laid out over one hundred years ago they are supposed to represent the journey of the life of man. You'll find beautiful maples and breathtaking bonsai's as well as that famous bridge! On a quiet day it would be a wonderful place to sit and think.
Beautiful Japanese Gardens
Queen Elizabeth II visited the stud in 2011 and is said to have thoroughly enjoyed herself, I can see why, it's a fascinating place, I can't recommend it highly enough. It's easily reachable by car from Dublin city center. You can also visit by public transport though it's not so easy. There's one Bus Eireann service a day that drops off and picks up at the stud. The Kildare Village shuttle bus also connects the stud and Kildare train station. For more information or for details about how to "book" your mare in for a night of fun and frolics with Invincible Spirit have a look at their website!
Acorn Way
