You’ve decided you are ready to work with someone with the hopes of securing the next Kentucky Derby Winner. While they can’t ensure that your thoroughbred will receive that iconic garland of roses, their job is to make investments that fulfill your goals and provide a strong ROI. Enter the bloodstock agent, your guide to the horse racing world.

As we’ve seen, horse racing is unpredictable time after time due to several factors, including the horse’s health, the condition of the track, the relationship of the trainer and jockey to the horse, and so much more. This element of chance drives people to want a piece of the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” Choosing a good bloodstock agent can feel as unlikely as picking a winning horse. But it’s not as complex as all that. There are a few things to look for when selecting the right horse for you, and having an expert by your side is the first step.

Bloodstock agents build a track record of success

A bloodstock agent who has consistently identified high-performing horses over a long period is more than lucky. Their track record of success is hard-earned over many years–often, decades– in the industry, gaining the necessary knowledge and understanding of what goes into making a champion racehorse. A newer bloodstock agent needs time to learn the business to build this kind of reputation. Just as a foal won’t hit the turf for years, younger bloodstock agents need some time to prove themselves.

Bloodstock agents and integrity

Being able to depend on your bloodstock agent’s advice is essential as a buyer. Finding an ethical bloodstock agent with experience and a reputation for integrity in the industry is critical.

Unethical agents do exist, but several organizations have stepped forward to fight fraud in this space, including:

• Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau
• Organization of Racing Investigators
• Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity
• National Thoroughbred Racing Association

Their job is to maintain the integrity of the horse racing industry. The Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau was founded in 1946, and its “principle mission is to address issues of integrity and security in the Thoroughbred horse racing industry.”

In Kentucky, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, and Kentucky Downs employ their services. TRA-member racetrack associations must maintain high standards, protect legitimate business interests and the integrity of the sport, and continuously promote public confidence.

A good bloodstock agent has a record of integrity, and their clients trust them and their word. A good bloodstock agent treats your investment as if it were their own.

For over 40 years, Nicoma Bloodstock’s focus has been on integrity and helping buyers find the thoroughbred who is the best fit for their stable. Nicoma Bloodstock has proven its success with the matings of 15 (G1) winners, including the 2006 and 2007 Kentucky Derby winners Barbaro and Street Sense. They are located just off Bowman Springs Road in Lexington, and Headley Bell heads up their operations.

Mill Ridge Farm, where Nicoma Bloodstock is based, ensures that Bell has “proven his integrity by creating and encouraging integrity enforcement organizations such as the previously mentioned Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau.” Nicoma Bloodstock and Bell, like all ethical bloodstock agents, believe “anyone should be able to invest in racehorses, and the integrity enforcement agencies ensure people do not get taken advantage of by dishonest bloodstock agent practices.”

Doing your research ahead of time, talking with people in the industry, and finding a bloodstock agent who will be a good fit for you and your needs will help ensure your peace of mind when investing in thoroughbreds.

They don’t follow the hype

Beyond having integrity and a track record of success, a seasoned bloodstock agent ignores the hype surrounding the process of selecting a suitable thoroughbred for you to consider purchasing.

For an untenured bloodstock agent, succumbing to the hype in the headlines can be tempting. Their enthusiasm for a Derby champion and the potential lack of experience of the buyer, are not the only considerations when buying a horse. It goes much deeper than that.

An experienced bloodstock agent isn’t going to try to chase the success of the latest champion. Instead, they look to the bloodlines to discern where the next winner may originate. After all, the exciting thing about horse racing is that the next champion can come from anywhere.

The 2005 Kentucky Derby is a good illustration of this point:

• 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo received 50-1 odds going into the race. He was the second-biggest long-shot winner in the Kentucky Derby’s 131-year history.
• The second-place horse in that field, Closing Argument, raced against even higher odds (72-1).
• Bellamy Road won the Wood Memorial a month earlier in a 17 ½-length triumph. Many figured him a shoo-in for winning the Kentucky Derby, but he placed sixth.

As you can see, creating a championship horse takes more than just a thoroughbred’s track record of success. The time spent and knowledge of bloodlines experienced bloodstock agents have is an integral part of the thoroughbred horse buying experience.

Questions to ask when considering a bloodstock agent

It’s helpful to have a ready list of questions as you begin your search for the right bloodstock agent. These questions can serve as a starting point for an initial conversation:

• How long have you been in the racing industry?
• What bloodstock do you prefer?
• How do you choose a broodmare?
• Do you offer services for raising thoroughbreds at your facility?
• How many bloodstock clients do you currently work with?
• Can I speak with your past clients or references?
• What have been your results?

It’s your hard-earned money. Follow up your talk with potential bloodstock agents with further research. Contact previous clients and references, ask around about the reputation of the bloodstock agent, and learn what you can about thoroughbred horse breeding to make a more informed decision.

If you do your homework, you too may find a horse like Nicoma Bloodstock’s own Oscar Performance and his descendants. Thirty-three of his yearlings were shown and available at the 2021 Keeneland September Sale to great acclaim.