28 Nov Group 1 four-timer sees Jackson-Stops seal Bloodstock Agent of The Year title

Billy Jackson-Stops has been crowned Bloodstock Agent of The Year after four of his purchases struck in Group 1 company throughout 2025. The JS Bloodstock Consultancy man received the accolade from Geoffrey Howson, honorary president of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents (FBA), at Tattersalls on Friday.

“I’m greatly honoured to be named Bloodstock Agent of the Year,” said Jackson-Stops. “One of the greatest achievements anyone can have in their industry is recognition from their peers, so to be acknowledged by Geoffrey and others at the FBA means the world to me.”

October 4 proved a day to remember as Jackson-Stops enjoyed a top-flight, cross-hemisphere double. The elite-level brace was initiated by Royal Supremacy, a 65,000gns Book 2 signing with Andrew Balding who landed the Metropolitan in Australia.

A little over five hours later, Caballo De Mar provided trainer George Scott with a maiden Group 1 triumph in the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp. The son Phoenix Of Spain was picked up with Scott for just €33,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale.

Arguably the brightest star among Jackson-Stops’ growing roll of honour is Gewan. The son of Night Of Thunder was sourced from the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale for Al Rabban Racing at a cost of €80,000, and showed his talent far exceeded that price tag by winning the Dewhurst Stakes.

The Group 1 four-timer was completed by Bay City Roller, who annexed the Grosser Preis von Bayern. He was bought with Scott and the colt’s original owner Clive Washbourn before being traded to Victorious Forever, the racing vehicle of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamed Al Khalifa and his brother Shaikh Khalid. In April it was announced that Jackson-Stops had been appointed as Shaikh Nasser’s racing manager.

Howson said: “I first met Billy at an Ascot sale and I quickly noticed how enthusiastically, diligently and productively he worked at the sales. As with Alex Elliott, last year’s winner, I proposed him to become a member of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents – again one of my more perceptive moves!”

Jackson-Stops also paid tribute to those whose support has underpinned his steep career trajectory.

“I must thank my wife, Lily,” he said. “Without her, I could not have achieved anything close to what I’ve been fortunate enough to accomplish. Her ability to work, run a house, and largely raise our two children on her own is the reason I’m able to travel and work as much as I do. She gives me the peace of mind to focus fully on my job, and none of this would have been possible without her.

“I’ve also been extremely fortunate to work with great trainers. I will always be indebted to George Scott, who took me on when I returned from Australia unemployed in 2017. We’ve shared some of our greatest successes together, with hopefully many more to come. Tom Clover and Andrew Balding have also been tremendous supporters. Good trainers can make average agents look good, and I’ve been lucky to have those three in my corner.

“Finally, all the Group 1 winners this year tie back, in one way or another, to my three biggest supporters. Al Rabban Racing originally owned Gewan; Michael Blencowe initially owned Royal Supremacy and still retains a share; and Shaikh Nasser owns both Caballo De Mar and Bay City Roller. Being able to repay these people with success at the highest level has been hugely rewarding, and I cannot thank them enough for their continued support.”

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Photo credit: Laura Green/Tattersalls