WORLD'S LEADING BLOODSTOCK AGENCY IS IRISH

Adrian Nicoll, Chairman, BBA Ireland

50 years going strong, BBA Ireland are the experts when it comes to selecting successful racehorses.

This year marks the 50th year in business for BBA Ireland Limited, making it the oldest bloodstock agency in the world. Based in Kill in Co. Kildare, is now the world's largest bloodstock agency with a global reputation within the industry. It offers a comprehensive service to owners, breeders and trainers of thoroughbred racehorses internationally; acting for clients in the purchase and sale of bloodstock as well as transporting, insuring and managing clients' bloodstock interests.

Established in 1956 by the late Tim Vigors, a Battle of Britain war hero, and the late Tom Cooper, a highly respected horseman, the company was sold to The British Bloodstock Agency Plc in the sixties and renamed BBA Ireland Limited. It remained part of the BBA Plc Group until the current management bought it out in 2000.

Adrian Nicoll, the current Chairman who joined the company in 1970, explains, "We kept the name as we feel that it's a world wide brand name within the industry. We are now one of the biggest buyers of bloodstock in the world and in 2005 we were the leading buyers at the principal bloodstock sales in both Ireland, which is held at Goffs, and at the principal UK sales."

Experts

Alexander Goldrun, winner of €2.8 million in prize-money

Adrian himself has a great record of selecting and buying successful racehorses for his clients. Over the years he has bought many Group 1 winners both at home and abroad. He is responsible for buying Alexander Goldrun, currently one of the best older fillies in the world which he purchased at Goffs as a foal for €50,000 for his client Noel O'Callaghan. She has now won over €2.8 million in prize-money and is worth over €3 million as a broodmare prospect. He also bought the current champion filly in Australia, Serenade Rose, winner of the two biggest fillies races in Australia this season. Other top class Group 1 performers included Kooyonga, winner of the Irish 1000 Guineas and only the second filly in history to win the Eclipse, Hula Angel, winner of the 1000 Guineas and Centaine, winner of three German Classics in the 1990's.

This years impressive two year olds include Lowther Stakes (G2) winner Silk Blossom (a €50,000 yearling) and Sweet Solario Stakes (G3) winner English Ballet (a €70,000 yearling).

A Solid Business

The 2005 acquisition of competitor, Curragh Bloodstock Agency Limited, has been integrated very successfully. BBA Ireland Director, Declan Murray explains, "The two agencies were very similar in terms of size and services provided, however whilst BBA had a stronger bloodstock business and operated more internationally, CBA had a stronger transport and insurance business and had a much stronger presence in the Irish market. By bringing the two together we have created a very solid business across the range of services and markets and consequently can offer clients a more comprehensive and competitive service".

The bloodstock transport business is headed by Ann Munnelly and covers every aspect of international bloodstock transport including the operation of chartered flights to the USA, Japan and Australia, as well as flights within Europe to races and sales. The bloodstock insurance business has been much strengthened by the arrival of Natasha Langan of the Curragh Bloodstock Agency who, along with long serving director Caroline Wilson, manages the company's insurance business.