The thoroughbred industry has people within it who are known as bloodstock agents. A bloodstock agent is someone who buys and sells horses on behalf of a client. They will do this in exchange for a commission. Often bloodstock agents will be found at yearling, broodmare or ready to run sales, assessing horses.
They may have a client – or potential client – who is interested in a particular horse/s based on how it looks on paper. The bloodstock agent will then attend the sale and assess the horse based on its conformation and movement. They will then report back to the person who is interested in potentially buying said horse. They may even bid on the horse on behalf of their client. Or they may invest in a horse and then sell shares in this horse to other people after purchasing it.
Outside of purchasing horses on behalf of other people, the bloodstock agent is well versed on horse pedigrees. They are able to guide and advise owners about which stallion/s to consider sending their mare/s to. This will then result in a foal with a particular pedigree that they anticipate selling well at a sale. Or it may have wonderful residual value for breeding in the years to come.
There is no formal qualification to become a bloodstock agent. A working knowledge of the industry is important and many within the thoroughbred world will gain experience on studs and in racing facilities first.
The Bloodstock Agent
A bloodstock agent needs to have good communication skills as well as connections within their desired horse industry. Of course, they will also need to know pedigrees, good conformation, results of that particular breed of horses – for racing or performance, for example. And they will need to be able to recognise horses that have potential and guide clients accordingly.
A bloodstock agent will need to be willing to travel to sales associated with their breed of choice. This may require interstate and also international travel. Apparently this profession works on a 5% commission fee typically. You can find out more at the Balance Careers.
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