The author examines the policies of the Irish National Stud from 1944 to 1969, focusing on Cyril Hall and David Hyde, the first and second managers of the new Irish National Stud. Using records from the Irish Parliament, the author highlights the concerns of various politicians who deemed it inappropriate for the State to be involved in horse breeding due to its unpredictable nature and the financial implications of this involvement in recessionary periods. From the outset, the core of the National Stud ethos was to ensure that smaller horse breeders had access to the Stud’s thoroughbreds at more affordable prices. The author presents quantitative data demonstrating that this policy was not followed, concluding that the cover prices at the National Stud were not significantly different from those in the private sector. Even more concerning is that the National Stud implemented a policy of selling their top-class thoroughbreds instead of capitalising on their income potential through covering practices. Hence, the author questions these policies and the influence of private sector breeders on the board of the National Stud in influencing these decisions.