Norelands Stud

Norelands Stud has been in the McCalmont family since 1912 and, in the past decade alone, the stud has been associated with Classic winners Power (Ire), Magna Graecia (Ire) and St Mark's Basilica (Fr), continuing its long-standing reputation as one of the finest nurseries of talent in Ireland.  In a recent interview with TDN Europe, stud boss Harry McCalmont's son Hamish explained how he swapped a career in finance for working on the farm.  In running through Norelands Stud's mating plans for 2025, Hamish explained how choosing the right stallion...

Expected to be the star of the show, champion Alpha Centauri (Mastercraftsman {Ire}--Alpha Lupi {Ire}, by Rahy) did not disappoint and brought a co-session-topping €6 million on the bid of MV Magnier. Also part of the Norelands draft who were selling on behalf of Niarchos family like €3.3-million mare That Which Is Not (Elusive Quality) just three hips prior, the imposing grey (lot 1263) equaled the price of her Sea The Moon (Ger) half-sister and fellow Group 1 winner Alpine Star (Ire) to share topper honours. In foal to Sea...

With the 2022 breeding season right around the corner, we will feature a series of breeders' mating plans over the coming weeks. Breeder Scott Heider of Heider Family Stables shares with us the mating plans for his Irish-based mares at Norelands Stud.   PISTA (m, 5, American Pharoah--Mohini {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) to be bred to Dubawi (Ire) Winner of the 2020 G2 Park Hill S. and second in the G1 Prix de Royallieu, this Joseph O'Brien-trained daughter of American Pharoah is currently in foal to Ballylinch Stud's Lope de...

When the McCalmont family's Norelands Stud purchased the 5-year-old mare Gaelic Tales (Giant's Causeway) for $120,000 through BBA Ireland last week at Keeneland January, it was getting back into a Group 1 family that it had played a hand in developing. Harry McCalmont currently runs Norelands, which is adjacent to Ballylinch Stud and was established in 1912 largely as a base for mares visiting Ballylinch's famed sire The Tetrarch. Harry McCalmont's father Major Victor McCalmont purchased Gaelic Tales's seventh dam, Agars Plough (Ire) (Combat {GB}), as a foal in 1952....

Five-time Group 1 winner St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}--Cabaret {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) has been retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore Stud in Ireland in 2022. A fee will be announced later. Bred by Bob Scarborough in France, the Norelands Stud-consigned bay brought 1.3 million guineas from MV Magnier during Book 1 of the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Trained by Aidan O'Brien for Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor, the half-brother to two-time Group 1 winner, G1 2000 Guineas hero and young Coolmore sire...

There were only four runners, but what Saturday's G1 Coral-Eclipse lacked in numbers it more than made up for in sheer buzz as the 3-year-old St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) was in scintillating form in Sandown's prestige contest. Heavily-backed into even-money favouritism beforehand, Ballydoyle's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero tracked Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) throughout and when launched by Ryan Moore passing the two-furlong pole quickly subdued his elders en route to an emphatic 3 1/2-length...

A Frankel (GB) filly out of Fleche d'Or (GB) (Dubai Destination)--and therefore a half-sister to Derby and Arc winner Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and listed winner Eastern Belle (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB})--became the highest-priced filly and third millionaire during the opening session of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale on Tuesday when hammered down to Anthony Stroud late in the session for 2-million gns. Stroud bought all three of the sessions seven-figure lots on behalf of Godolphin. The filly was consigned by Norelands Stud.