Working Life

A bloodstock agent is responsible for purchasing horses for racing and breeding both privately and at public auctions as well as providing advice to clients on mating for mares, pedigrees and racing plans. A bloodstock agent must have extensive knowledge on thoroughbred pedigrees, racing form, and conformation.

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.

View the equuip career profile for this career here.

Click on the equuip brochure for more details on careers in the Irish Horse Racing & Breeding Industry.

Click here to view the HRI Employment Guide for the Horse Breeding & Racing Sectors    

Industry Summary

Ireland is recognised as a global leader in thoroughbred breeding and bloodstock production. Despite its relatively small sise, Ireland is the largest producer of thoroughbreds in Europe and the third largest producer in the world, behind only the United States and Australia. Irish-bred horses compete successfully at the highest levels of international racing, and Irish bloodstock is sought after by buyers from around the world.

The industry includes a diverse range of enterprises, from internationally renowned stud farms and bloodstock operations to small family-run breeding businesses. Ireland is home to many of the world's leading stallions and has a strong reputation for producing high-quality thoroughbreds sought after by buyers worldwide.

Today, there are more than 6,000 registered thoroughbred breeders operating across Ireland, ranging from some of the world's largest stud farms and breeding operations to small family-run enterprises. The industry remains highly diverse, with the majority of breeders managing only a small number of broodmares.

Ireland is home to over 60 stallion farms, including many of the world's leading thoroughbred stallions. 

The sector continues to make a significant contribution to the Irish economy. In 2025, bloodstock sales at public auction reached €225.4 million, reflecting the strong international demand for Irish-bred horses and the ongoing strength of Ireland's breeding and racing industries.

As a major contributor to Ireland's rural economy, the breeding and bloodstock sector supports employment, investment, and exports. 

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.

To explore your FET centre/ Post leaving cert college full & part time options Search our FET CourseFinder.

Search QQI programmes     for a full list of QQI Certifications. 

View equuip   for more details on equine education and equine educational providers.

Other Equine Courses 

CAFRE

- BSc (Hons) Degree in Equine Management
- Foundation Degree in Equine Management
- Certificate of Higher Education in Equine Science & Management
- Equine Management (Level 3)
- Equine Care (Level 2)
- Farriery Upskilling Programme
- Apprenticeship in the Equine Industry (Level 2 & 3)
- Award in Horse Handling & Behaviour in Equine Assisted Therapies
- Horse Care Certificate (Level 2 & 3)

Kildalton Agricultural College
- Horsemanship / Equitation Programme
- Horsemanship / Stud Management Programme

Irish National Stud
- Thoroughbred Breeding Management

Godolphin Flying Start
- Thoroughbred Industry Leadership Programme

Dunboyne College
- Horsemanship and Equine Business
- Advanced Certificate / Level 6 in Equine Business

Gurteen College
- Level 5 Certificate in Stud Management
- Level 5 Certificate in Horsemanship/Equitation

Farriery Ireland
- Introduction to Equine Healthcare
- SOLAS Apprenticeship QQI Advanced Certificate in Craft - Farriery

Racing Academy & Centre of Education
- See available courses here    

University College Dublin
- Animal Science - Equine (Level 8)

University of Limerick
- Equine Science (Level 8)

Career Path 

Most Bloodstock Agents have worked their way to this rewarding career path and are passionate about the horses in the thoroughbred industry.

(Alternative Careers)

• Broadcaster
• Sales House Employee
• Bloodstock Auctioneer
  
  

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 race days from a selection of 21 race days 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 race days. 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. 

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

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.

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Sales accounts and business development managers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

The above average employment growth rate relates to particularly strong growth since 2023 (an additional 8,300 persons employed) after very little change in levels in the preceding years.

Employment permits were issued for various roles including business development managers, with almost half of all permits issued for the ICT sector.

Difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey were for sales/marketing managers with Skills for Growth data identifying issues with sourcing customer service/product managers, with project management and sales skills in particular demand.

If employment continues to grow strongly for this occupation, issues with sourcing suitably qualified candidates may occur, although changes to international trade regulations and organisational re-structuring may temper this demand.

• 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