It is totally illegal to buy a horse without a passport. There are a lot of stolen horses out there and dodgy dealers will sell them on without passports. Please report anyone who deals in horses and admits to not having passports- we need to stamp out crime.
A good Irish youngster and I mean good will not be cheap. There is a lot of rubbish out there being sold by so called dealers. Finding a good horse is hard work. When looking for a good horse don't go on your own and have someone with you that has a lot of knowledge. Always go earlier than...
I have heard that Sarah at Woodlands is very experienced and looks after her horses very well. The stables are lovely and the place is spotless. Lots of friendly liveries there. She has a great reputation.
You are right postcode everything. Some yards broken into had all rugs and equipment that was post coded left in heaps. They couldn't sell them on so left them.
Don't go to a dealer unless you actually know them. Some dealers in Surrey are rogues and do not treat the horses well. I know of one that doesn't give the horses decent beds and uses the cheapest food.