The combined British and Irish foal crop has dropped again in 2026, according to Weatherbys' official Return of Mares for 2026, with 11,312 foals registered as of September 30, a decline of 2.4% from 2025 and 17.2% from 2023.The decline was particularly pronounced in Britain, where 3,670 foals were registered, down 6.3% from 3,915 in 2025. Ireland recorded 7,642 foals, a marginal decrease of 0.5% from last year's 7,678. The combined foal crop has now declined for three consecutive years, having stood at 13,670 in 2023, 12,809 in 2024 and 11,593 in 2025.Starman headed the list of busiest stallions in 2026 with 324 mares covered, followed by Maxios (309), Los Angeles (292) and Delacroix (282).The number of active broodmares also continued to fall, with 19,585 recorded across Britain and Ireland, compared to 20,337 in 2025 and 21,963 in 2024. Ireland accounted for 12,701 mares, while Britain recorded 6,884.Despite the shrinking broodmare population, covering activity remained relatively stable. A total of 15,743 mares were reported covered by September 30, compared to 15,732 at the same stage last year.In Britain, 5,687 mares were covered, representing 82.6% of the active broodmare population, up from 77% in 2025. Ireland recorded 10,056 coverings, representing 79.2% of its broodmare population, compared to 77.6% last year.Japanese Influence Evident in Coolmore Foal Crop The Weatherbys report also highlighted Coolmore's continued investment in leading Japanese bloodlines, with several notable Irish-born foals by some of Japan's most prominent stallions. Kitasan Black, sire of world champion Equinox and Classic winners Croix Du Nord and Sol Oriens, was represented by three Irish-foaled fillies for Coolmore, all out of daughters of Galileo.Their dams include the Group 3-winning Coolmore, a full-sister to Group 1 winners Gleneagles, Happily, Joan Of Arc and Marvellous; Dower House, a full-sister to Churchill and Clemmie; and the Group 2-placed Amusement, who hails from the family of Classic winners Dancing Rain and Saxon Warrior.Equinox sired a filly out of Starry Eyed, a winning daughter of Galileo and American Grade I winner Nickname, making her a half-sister to Group 3 winner Ides Of March.Japanese Triple Crown and Japan Cup winner Contrail was also represented by two notable Coolmore foals. They include a filly out of Heaven Of Heavens, a Galileo full-sister to multiple Group 1 winners Magical and Rhododendron, the latter being the dam of Auguste Rodin. Contrail also sired a colt out of the Group 3-winning Red Riding Hood, a daughter of Justify and Prix Marcel Boussac winner Ballydoyle, herself a Galileo full-sister to Misty For Me.The post British and Irish Foal Crop Falls Again, Starman Busiest Stallion with 324 Mares Covered appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.