It was good to hear from Dr Alan Fahy at the recent educational conference in Haydens Hotel, Ballinasloe that the in breeding co-efficient in the herd had not escalated in the years since Ms. Deirdre Feely did the pioneering study in this field in 2004 That it has remained at 4.4% is no doubt a result of the big influence of Hazy Dawn sons (Green line), that came into the country during those same years. They provided an ideal outcross for the Irish mares as did many of the other imported stallions of the past decade. It is something that all breeders will need to be wary off in the future.