The name of 'Tulyar' passed from fame to legend in Ireland when the extraordinary animal capped his racing careerby retiring to stud in America for a sum that was then thought to be astronomical.

But there, by way of anti climax, the matter rested. None of Tulyars progeny lived up to the name of their sire. But then, such hazards are the stuff of the bloodstock industry.

At the time this documentary was made, 1975, the Irish bloodstock industry was in a bit of a slump. In the years prior, it was common for someone with little knowledge of the industry to 'buy a leg', this is a quarter share in a foal, and then await the potential windfalls with high expectations. But the economic climate on the mid 70s meant that fewer amateur investors got involved.

The notion at the time was that Ireland bred some of the worlds top horses. John Skehan explores this notion and examines if the increase in air travel meant that it was getting more and more difficult to find a truly 'Irish' horse.

The prices paid for top animals had the effect of concentrating the industry in the hands of fewer and richer owners, mainly based in the USA and Canada.

Among those that John Skehan talks to are Senator Paddy McGrath, Chairman of the Racing Board, Liam and Jackie Ward, Dermot Weld, son of Charlie and trainer on the Curragh, Buster Parnell, the English jockey and RTE sports commentator Micheal O'Hehir.

First broadcast 23rd March 1975

An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries