Ireland's National Stud Farm

Today we visited Ireland's Stud Farm--run by the government.  Saw a stallion insured for 60 MILLION EUROS.  It costs 47,000 euros to ship him to Australia for racing or breeding.  On the stud farm he has 120-190 visitors during the breeding season.  To make sure that the mare is ready and won't injure the stallion they use a teaser--a stallion that determines if the mare is ready to breed, but he never mates.  On this farm he was named Tommy the Teaser.  It was a very informative and interesting tour.  At the farm they also have a wonderful Japanese garden.