Buy or sell a horse in Britain, Ireland or France

Who this is for

• Owners in Britain, Ireland and France who want a better horse, or a second opinion before they bid.
• Sellers with a horse in training, a mare or a young horse that may suit a buyer in the Gulf or Asia.
• International clients who want to keep a horse with a licensed trainer in Newmarket, Lambourn, Ireland or Chantilly.
• Buyers of Arabians and sport horses. Same care, different paperwork.

Buying: what we do for you

• Shortlists. 3–5 horses that fit your budget, your trainer and your plans, with form, pedigree notes, video and our honest pick.
• Catalogue and vet review. We read the catalogue pages, inspect on the ground and arrange independent X-rays and a wind scope. You get every report.
• Bidding to your limit, in your name, never above the price you set in writing.
• Private purchases. Many good horses are never in a catalogue. We negotiate quietly with owners and trainers.
• Placing with a trainer. We hand the horse to your licensed trainer, or help you choose one, then keep you updated. Your first 90 days as an owner, explained.

The sales we buy from

• Tattersalls, Newmarket. Prices in guineas: one guinea is £1.05 (Great British Racing International). Our guide: buying at Tattersalls.
• Goffs, County Kildare, and Tattersalls Ireland, Fairyhouse, County Meath (Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, sale dates). Both sell in euros.
• Arqana, Deauville, in euros.

The best horse is not always in the nearest ring, so we also look at sales worldwide. See all the sales we buy from.

Selling: buyers in the Gulf and Asia

We are based in Dubai and know owners who race at Meydan and in Riyadh, and clients in Asia who want a proven European horse. If yours could suit them, tell us about it. We give you an honest view of the price, show the horse privately with your consent, and handle the vetting questions. More in how to sell a racehorse in training.

One side only, in writing

Britain and Ireland have the Bloodstock Industry Code of Practice, published by the Bloodstock Industry Forum (the BHA, HRI, Tattersalls, Goffs, trainers, breeders, owners and agents). It applies to sales in Britain and Ireland from 16 August 2021, bans bribery, including "luck money", and bans acting for both sides of a sale without prior, written, informed consent (BHA; ROA).

Our rule: on British and Irish sales we act for one side only, the buyer or the seller, and tell you in writing which one. No secret payments. No quiet favours. If that sounds dull, good. Dull is what you want from the person holding your limit.

Owner registration basics (checked 22 Oct 2026)

Britain: sole and company owners apply to the BHA, which considers every application; approval can take up to two working days. Owners from abroad with a horse trained in Britain must register there (BHA owners' toolkit).

Ireland: owners register with Horse Racing Ireland. Registration takes about two working days once the paperwork is in, and overseas owners with a horse in training in Ireland must register too (HRI ownership FAQ).

France: an owner is a person or company approved by the Commissaires of France Galop to race a horse in its colours (the agrément). Apply early; we check the current steps with you and your trainer (France Galop).

Fees

5% fee (min US$5,000), agreed in writing. You pay the seller directly; your money never goes through us. If we are ever paid by both sides, both are told in writing first. On British and Irish sales we act for one side only. Budgets from US$50,000 per horse. Vetting, insurance and transport are quoted before you commit. Full details: fees and process.

Questions European owners ask

Do I need to be a registered owner before I buy?

You can buy before you register, but to race a horse trained in Britain you register with the BHA, in Ireland with HRI, and in France you need approval from France Galop. Start early; we help you with the timing.

Will you act for the buyer and the seller of the same horse?

Not on British or Irish sales. The Code bans acting for both sides without prior, written, informed consent, so we act for one side only and tell you in writing which.

Can you sell my horse to buyers in the Gulf or Asia?

Yes. Send the details through our sell page or by email. We tell you honestly what the market may pay.

How much do you charge?

5% fee (min US$5,000), agreed in writing. You pay the seller directly; your money never goes through us. If we are ever paid by both sides, both are told in writing first.