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sport · Thursday 30 July 2026 · Various 
Cavan Elite Foal Selection Day 2026
At Cavan International Equestrian Centre · Latt, Cavan, H12 X9K1, Co. Cavan
At Cavan International Equestrian Centre · Latt, Cavan, H12 X9K1, Co. Cavan
Each July, breeders from across Ireland bring their most promising foals to Cavan Equestrian Centre for a day of careful assessment that carries real consequence. The Elite Foal Selection Day is the gateway to the Cavan Elite Foal Auction - one of the standout dates in the Irish sport horse breeding calendar - and watching it unfold gives you a genuine window into how Ireland’s equestrian industry identifies the next generation of competition horses. It suits horse enthusiasts, breeders, buyers keeping an eye on emerging bloodlines, and anyone curious about what makes a foal worth backing.
Foals are presented one by one before a panel of judges who assess them against a clear set of criteria: conformation and movement, the quality of the sire and sire of dam, the dam’s own competition record, and how well the foal is turned out on the day. Pedigree research is a formal part of the process - breeders submit documentation tracing two generations of the dam’s line, and judges use that material alongside what they see in the ring. Foals that pass selection qualify for the Elite Foal Auction held during the Cavan Indoor Championships on 17 September 2026. Those that narrowly miss out are not left without options - they can be entered into the Premier Foal Section of the September Young Stock Sale at the same venue. The emphasis throughout is on potential showjumpers and eventers with proven bloodlines, so the foals on show tend to be well-bred animals with serious competitive pedigrees behind them.
Cavan town sits on the N3 national primary road, roughly 115 km north-west of Dublin - around an hour and a quarter by car in normal traffic. From the south, take the N3 through Navan and Kells; from Belfast, take the A3 to Monaghan and cross into Cavan on the N54. The centre is at Latt, just outside Cavan town, and is well signposted from the N3. Onsite parking is standard at the equestrian centre. Public transport to Cavan town is available via Bus Eireann from Dublin Busaras (route 30), with local taxi services covering the short distance to Latt.
Cavan town is a compact market town with a strong agricultural and equestrian tradition, which makes it an entirely natural setting for an event like this. The nearby Lough Oughter and its network of drumlin lakes reward anyone who wants to stretch their legs after the selection is done. There is more to see in Cavan and across Co. Cavan.
Heading to Cavan International Equestrian Centre in Cavan? Cavan has plenty more to see. Read the Cavan area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.