The Work

Industry Summary

Ireland is one of the leading bloodstock producing nations in the world. It is the third biggest producer of foals, and Irish vendors are, by value, estimated to have been the second biggest sellers of bloodstock by public auctions in 2016 after the USA.  There are over 6,500 breeders in Ireland with over 60 farms standing stallions.  Irish breeders cover a broad range of operations – from some of the biggest global bloodstock operations with many of the world’s top stallions, to smaller breeders – 92% of the 6,777 registered breeders having fewer than five thoroughbred broodmares.

[Source: Economic Impact of Irish breeding and racing 2017]

Main Duties

• Analyse pedigrees and conformation to assess the value of thoroughbreds being offered for sale, both privately and at public auctions
• Bid on horses in the auction ring for their clients and may initiate or broker deals for horses being offered privately
• Advise clients on breeding plans for their broodmares; they may facilitate the booking of these mares to stallions that are in high demand
• Evaluate the fitness of individual horses working closely with veterinarians, farriers and other equine health professionals
• Constant networking and building of relationships with industry professionals to maintain and expand their sales business

Physical Environment

The role is mainly office based as primary duties include overseeing the accounts, selecting and purchasing stallions and mares, and liaising with owners.

Employers

• Self-employed
• Bloodstock Company's
• Sales Houses.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Education & Further Development

While no specific training is required to start a career as a Bloodstock Agent, many new entrants to the industry have a bachelors' degree in Equine Business (MH405) or Equine Science (LM093) or Animal Science - Equine (DN250). Other relevant qualifications include: Level 5 Horsemanship (5M3371); Level 6 Equine Breeding (6M3507); and the Irish National Stud's Breeding Course.

Post graduate opportunities include Godolphin Flying Start

CPD: The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (I.T.B.A.) provides members with the opportunity to continue their professional development through a calendar of training and seminar activities on an ongoing basis.

Experience

People in this profession usually work their way up the industry, often starting with a large breeder to learn more about bloodlines and conformation, or they may have been competitive riders. Networking is a key skill in this job.

Certification

No certification is required.

Fun Learning Opportunities

ITM Irish Stallion Trail - The ITM Irish Stallion Trail is an annual showcase for the Irish thoroughbred breeding industry, with stallion farms across Ireland opening their doors to breeders, racing professionals, and racing fans on two days in January of each year.  Over 25 stallion farms participate in the Trail, which has been running for six years. Studs participating in the Trail in 2020 included Ballylinch, Boardsmill, Castlehyde, Coolmore, Derrinstown, Gilltown, Irish National Stud, Kildangan, Rathasker, Rathbarry & Glenview Studs, Yeomanstown, and many more. 

HRI Racing25 - HRI Racing25 is a  membership club for racing fans and is open to all full-time students and anyone aged 18-25 and an initiative of Horse Racing Ireland.  Membership costs just €25 and allows members free entry to five key racedays from a selection of 21 racedays around the country. In addition, HRI Racing25 members also have access to exclusive behind the scenes trips to racing yards, stud farms and meet and greet opportunities with racing stars. Members are also be offered reduced admission for additional premium racedays. The first trip of 2020 took place on January 24, HRI Racing25 members is a stable tour to trainer Joseph O’Brien’s yard in Owning, Kilkenny. 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €58k

Unless under contract to a major player in the thoroughbred industry, bloodstock agents are self employed and do not earn a set salary, they are compensated for their efforts by a commission.

Data Source(s):
Yard & Groom / ISSA / Payscale/ Indeed

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels remained unchanged between 2021 and 2022 for this occupation. Employment was spread across many sectors with none large enough to report. Like business sales executives, the ICT sector appears to be the main beneficiary of employment permits issued in 2022 for this occupation. The difficult-to-fill mentions in the Recruitment Agency Survey related to sales/marketing managers and lead category managers.

Employers (Skills for Growth and Spotlight on Skills) identified sales account managers, key account managers and business development managers as being difficult to fill; key skills in demand included project management, relationship management and presentation skills. Nonetheless, the number of job adverts has fallen. Although employment levels remained stable, digitalisation and new business processes are likely to impact on the skills mix required for these roles.

Horse Racing Ireland: Social & Economic impacts report 2023

The Irish Breeding and Racing industry supports 30,350 full time equivalent (FTE) staff in total. This includes 9,400 jobs directly related to the industry. Over 40% of these (c.3,950 FTEs) work in breeding operations, closely followed by c.3,000 FTE stable-staff, trainers and point-topoint handlers (c.800), caterers (c.350), jockeys, agents and valets (c.300) and racecourse staff (c.300). A further c.7,000 jobs are attributable to directly related employment. This includes individuals in equine-related roles like veterinarians and farriers, as well as those working in related agricultural, and leisure roles. Total non-betting employment was 24,800 in 2022, up c.8% when compared to the 22,900 supported by the industry in 2016.

Secondary employment is estimated to total c.8,400 and includes roles that are supported by further spending in the Irish economy (the ‘ripple effect’). This supports jobs in the likes of the travel and accommodation sectors and the bar and restaurant trade. Furthermore, the betting sector in Ireland is intrinsically linked to Irish racing, and many fewer individuals would be employed should racing cease to exist.

The sector is estimated to employ c.5,550 FTEs, across individuals working in LBOs and the Head Offices of betting operators.Given that Ireland has a large proportion of its population residing in rural communities, agriculture holds a high level of significance, with the Breeding and Racing industry being a significant  contributor to agricultural employment. It also supports jobs in farriery, horse transport and veterinary/equine health.

Directly related employment relates to those jobs that whilst being heavily reliant on the Breeding and Racing industry, also serve other industry sectors and sub-sectors. These can include equine-related roles such as veterinarians and farriers, as well as roles in agriculture, leisure, and hospitality. This is estimated to total c.7,000 in 2022.

• Horse Racing Ireland (HRI)

  • Ballymany, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, Ireland, R56 XE37
  • (045) 455 455
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM)

  • Ballymany, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, Ireland, R56 XE37
  • +353 45 443060
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA)

  • Greenhills, Kill, Kildare, Ireland, W91 FY62
  • 045 877 543
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Careers & Racing Education (CARE)

  • Horse Racing Ireland Ballymany, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, Ireland, R56 XE37
  • (045) 455 455
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here