IRT

What IRT does

IRT is a privately held international horse transportation company founded in 1976 by Quentin Wallace and headquartered in Australia (Melbourne Airport), with additional roots and offices in New Zealand, the UK, Germany, and the USA. The company provides end-to-end international and domestic shipping services for horses, organized around three phases: before the flight (airfreight/charter, health/quarantine, customs/permits/insurance), during the flight (transit stalls in three class tiers — Economy with 3 horses per stall, Business with 2, and First Class with 1 — plus professional animal air attendants and experienced vets), and after the flight (post-arrival quarantine, customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery). Its underlying technology is a customized CRM system, implemented and managed by CIO Tamir Bowen, that coordinates bookings, shipment tracking, and documentation across its five-country office network.

IRT serves a vertical mix of clients including thoroughbred racing operations (e.g., All Stars Racing Stables, Winstar Farm), Olympic and elite equestrian athletes (Shane Rose), champion racehorse owners (Neil Werrett of Black Caviar), stud farms and breeding operations, and individual private owners relocating horses. Pricing is quote-based per shipment, with full payment due seven days prior to departure and no booking deposit required. The company relies primarily on word-of-mouth referrals, event sponsorships (Spring Racing Carnival, RV Racing), industry publication advertising, and direct enterprise sales via its Partner-led offices for customer acquisition.

IRT was acquired in May 2024 by Mears Group PLC (LSE: MER), a UK-listed social housing and public sector services provider, reportedly for thermal surveying capabilities. The company continues to operate under its established brand and leadership team, including second-generation family Director Selwyn Wallace. With 40+ office-based staff worldwide and a global footprint spanning at least 12 served countries, IRT positions itself as the global market leader in dedicated equine air transport, though it faces limited direct competition and operates in a niche where horse welfare, regulatory compliance, and relationship-based logistics constitute the primary barriers to entry.

Name

IRT

Legal name

IRT

Website

https://irt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IRT is a privately held, Australia-headquartered international horse transportation company founded in 1976, operating owned offices in five countries (Australia, New Zealand, UK, Germany, USA) and serving thoroughbred racing, breeding, and elite equestrian clients with end-to-end airfreight, quarantine, and customs services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Horse Transport Services

NAICS

Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Transport & Hauling Services (AFAEAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Racing Logistics & Transport (Equine Haulage, Quarantine) (MPAEADAO)

Keywords

• International horse transport
• Equine airfreight services
• Racehorse shipping logistics
• Horse quarantine handling
• Equine customs clearance

Headquarters

HQ city

Takanini

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. International Horse Transport Services: IRT generates revenue by charging fees for international horse transport, including pre-flight services (airfreight, charter, health/quarantine, customs), in-flight care (professional grooms, vets, transit stalls), and post-flight services (quarantine, customs, delivery). Payment is required 7 days prior to departure. No deposit is required at booking. Pricing is quote-based and varies by route, horse size, and service level.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IRT is an international horse transport company that organizes each shipment into three phases — before, during, and after the flight. Pre-flight services cover international airfreight and charter, health and quarantine, and customs/permits/insurance; in-flight services cover transit stalls (Economy, Business, and First Class), professional horse grooms and experienced vets; post-flight services cover post-arrival quarantine and customs clearance plus safe door-to-door delivery.

Product overview

IRT is a global horse transport company offering comprehensive international and domestic horse shipping services. The company operates a unified service model organized around three phases of horse travel: before the flight (including international airfreight and charter services, health and quarantine services, and customs/permits/insurance), during the flight (transit and stalls with multiple comfort classes, professional horse grooms, and experienced vets), and after the flight (post arrival quarantine and customs clearance, and safe horse delivery). IRT maintains offices across five countries (Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, and Germany) and services all major domestic airports including Alaska and Hawaii in the USA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IRT: International horse transport services covering flights, charters, quarantine, customs, and delivery services.

Products and services

• International Airfreight and Charter Services Pre-flight service arranging international airfreight and charter logistics for horse transportation from various global origins to destinations worldwide. Targeted at enterprise racing, breeding, equestrian and private-owner clients needing cross-border shipment.
• Health and Quarantine Services Pre-flight service arranging all necessary health tests and compliance with country-specific import/export quarantine requirements for horses. Targeted at clients shipping horses internationally between jurisdictions with strict biosecurity regimes (e.g., Australia, New Zealand).
• Customs, Permits and Insurance Pre-flight service arranging customs documentation, import/export permits, and transit insurance options (via IRT Insurance) for horse shipments. Targeted at clients needing regulatory clearance and risk coverage for high-value horse transport.
• Transit and Stalls (Economy, Business, First Class) In-flight service providing aircraft stall accommodation for horses in three classes — Economy (3 horses per stall), Business (2 horses per stall), and First Class (1 horse per stall on its own). Targeted at clients needing different comfort/space tiers for racehorses, stallions, broodmares, or private horses.
• Professional Horse Grooms (Animal Air Attendants) In-flight service providing IRT-trained animal air attendants who remain with horses during transit and at stops, pre-customs cleared at each location. Targeted at clients needing dedicated human supervision of high-value horses during long-haul flights.
• Experienced Vets In-flight service providing experienced veterinary supervision with attention to horse health and safety throughout the journey. Targeted at clients transporting high-value horses where health monitoring during transit is critical.
• Post Arrival Quarantine and Customs Post-flight service supervising horses through quarantine release, government quarantine facilities, and customs protocols at destination ports. Targeted at clients needing compliant release of horses at destination, including Australia's mandatory post-arrival quarantine for horses from outside New Zealand.
• Safe Delivery of Your Horse Post-flight service coordinating door-to-door delivery, including transport to pre-export quarantine, airport handling, and final delivery after quarantine. Targeted at clients needing a single point of accountability from origin stable to destination stable.

Quantifiable outcome

• 16 international round trips completed for a single horse ('More Than Ready' stallion)

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• IRT InsuranceminorOthersIRT Insurance is a separate insurance company that provides transit insurance for horses during shipping. IRT can arrange for IRT Insurance to contact clients to discuss coverage options and costs for their horse's journey.
• CIQ (Certification/Quarantine)minorOthersCIQ (likely Certification/Quarantine services) is listed as an IRT partner, providing certification and quarantine-related services supporting IRT's compliance and regulatory requirements.
• RV RacingminorOthersRV Racing is a partner of IRT with its logo displayed on the IRT website, suggesting a sponsorship or marketing partnership within the Australian racing industry.
• Spring Racing CarnivalminorOthersSpring Racing Carnival is a partner of IRT, with its logo displayed on the IRT website, indicating sponsorship or marketing collaboration within the Australian racing calendar.
• FPAS (Fluoroequine Prohibited Substance Program)minorOthersFPAS is listed as an IRT partner, likely relating to equine health and doping compliance in horse racing.
• Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ)minorOthersEquestrian Sports New Zealand is a partner of IRT, providing a connection to New Zealand's equestrian sport community.
• Australian Stud BookminorOthersAustralian Stud Book is listed as an IRT partner, supporting IRT's breeding industry client base with stud book and breeding record coordination.
• Equestrian Life AustraliaminorOthersEquestrian Life Australia is a partner magazine/publication of IRT, listed alongside advertising in their publication.
• Boneo ParkminorOthersBoneo Park is listed as an IRT partner, likely providing equestrian facilities or quarantine-related services in Australia.
• Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBV)minorOthersThoroughbred Breeders Australia is a member/partner of IRT, connecting IRT to the thoroughbred breeding community.
• ArqanaminorOthersArqana is a partner of IRT, listed on the website. Arqana is a prominent European bloodstock auction house, indicating a partnership supporting the horse sales and breeding transport market.
• Westfalenpferde (Westphalian Horse Breed)minorOthersWestfalenpferde (Westphalian Horse Breed) is a partner of IRT, supporting transport of Westphalian breed horses internationally.
• WeatherbysminorOthersWeatherbys is a partner of IRT. Weatherbys is a leading provider of racing administration and breeding services in the UK, supporting IRT's UK and European operations.
• Hannoveraner VerbandminorOthersHannoveraner Verband (Hannoverian Horse Association) is a partner of IRT, supporting the transport of Hannoverian warmblood horses internationally.
• Mears Group PLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRT was acquired by Mears Group PLC, a UK-based social housing and public sector services provider. Mears Group acquired IRT for its thermal surveying solutions capabilities. This is a strategic acquisition by Mears Group rather than a traditional partnership, with IRT becoming part of the Mears Group portfolio.
• Square Peg Foundation & California Retirement Management AccountminorOthersIRT partnered with Square Peg Foundation and California Retirement Management Account to fly three retired Thoroughbreds to Dillingham Ranch on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. IRT provided the horse transport as an in-kind contribution.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Stallion AI Services: UK-based equine breeding services provider offering semen transport and related logistics. An emerging adjacent player whose services could reduce demand for physical stallion shuttle transport — a key IRT revenue stream.

Broad incumbents

• FedEx Custom Critical: Time-sensitive surface and air freight provider handling high-value cargo, including equine shipments. A broad incumbent offering generalized premium logistics rather than the bespoke horse-specialist service model IRT sells.
• DHL Global Forwarding (Equine / Live Animal): Global logistics giant with dedicated live animal and equine transport capabilities. A broad incumbent that competes at the freight-handling layer and could disintermediate niche specialists if it invests further in horse-specific services.

Direct peers

• Tex Sutton Forwarding Co. Long-standing US-based international horse transportation specialist offering air and ground services for racehorses, show horses, and breeding stock. Comparable service model and customer base, particularly for US-origin shipments.
• Mersant International: US-based international horse air transport specialist offering door-to-door services including quarantine, customs, and flight arrangements. Directly competes with IRT on transcontinental equine shipping routes, particularly US-EU and US-Australia corridors.
• BBA Shipping & Transport: UK/Europe-based specialist in international horse transport by air and road, with similar end-to-end service coverage and a comparable blue-chip racing and breeding client base. A direct competitor in the European and Trans-Tasman corridors.
• Pegasus Air Transport (Equine): Specialized air charter operator focused on live animal and equine transport, with comparable service offerings around flight charter, in-flight care, and quarantine coordination.
• Professional Equine Transportation (PET): US-based international and domestic horse transport company offering air and ground services with a comparable focus on full-service logistics, quarantine coordination, and breeding/sport horse clientele.
• Horse Air (UK): UK-based equine air transport specialist serving European racing and breeding markets. Competes directly with IRT's UK and European operations for similar customer profiles.

Others

• Arqana: Major European bloodstock auction house that is a current IRT partner and an adjacent ecosystem participant. Provides a demand-side channel for horse transport, particularly for breeding and sales-related movements.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/flyirt
• Facebookfacebook.com/flyirt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IRT