Nothing beats the thrill of horse racing or the buzz and excitement of the sale ring. Jim’s approach focuses on reducing your risk, and maximising your value for money, enjoyment and opportunities for success. He does this by connecting with his global network of industry contacts and providing transparent, honest and well-reasoned advice.
Jim is a member of the Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Australia, the peak industry regulatory body and abides by the federation’s strict code of ethics.
As a trained lawyer, Jim has a critical eye when it comes to researching, analysing and negotiating deals on your behalf. Whether he’s assessing a horse’s suitability for racing or breeding, providing a bloodstock valuation or preparing a mating plan for your broodmare, the details matter, and Jim will explore and consider all possible options before presenting you with his recommendations.
Racing is a global sport and having lived and worked in the thoroughbred industry all over the world, Jim has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the racing and breeding industry on an international scale.
A major benefit of working abroad is the network of trainers, breeders, owners and industry professionals that Jim has developed a relationship with and these contacts have proven to be invaluable when it comes to buying and selling horses in different markets.
Jim knows every owner is different and every horse is different, so there is never a one-size-fits all strategy. His first port of call is always to understand what you are trying to achieve so that he can research and tailor a plan that maximises the value and enjoyment you receive from horse ownership regardless of your budget.
New to horse ownership, or need an objective opinion? As your agent, Jim will cut through the industry jargon and provide transparent, straightforward and honest advice, so you always have the information you need to make well-informed decisions.
Growing up in a family of hobby breeders and horse owners, Jim has loved thoroughbred racing and breeding from a young age. His natural affinity for the industry and eye for detail has led to a successful 13 year career that culminated with the launch of Clarke Bloodstock in 2018.
In 2011, shortly after completing his law degree at the Queensland University of Technology, Jim was one of 12 recipients from around the world to be awarded a scholarship for the prestigious Godolphin Flying Start Program, a two-year, global course dedicated to providing practical and business training in the thoroughbred industry.
Following his training, Jim worked as the Racing and Bloodstock Manager at Bjorn Baker Racing where he oversaw race programming, owner communication, horse sales and purchases. During this time Unencumbered was purchased as a yearling and went on to win the $2 million Magic Millions 2yo Classic.
In 2015, Jim joined the senior management team at Godolphin in the UK, the world's largest breeding and racing operation. His role saw him work globally across all facets of racing and bloodstock management.
Throughout his career, Jim has worked alongside and been mentored by some of the world’s leading industry professionals including trainers Peter Snowden, Charlie Appleby, Shaun Dwyer and Mike de Kock as well as bloodstock agents John Ferguson, James Harron and Ed Sackville.
While he has overseen the breeding, purchase and sale of many successful horses, his personal favourite is a little closer to home— a family bred and owned gelding, Rudy, who amassed over $1 million in prize money, and won the 2014 Group 2 Villiers Stakes at Royal Randwick.
In March 2023, Arapaho provided Clarke Bloodstock with their first success at the highest level when taking out the Group 1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill over 2400m during the Sydney Autumn Carnival. Arapaho was purchased for Bjorn Baker Racing and clients as a tried horse from France at the end of his three-year-old season and has won five races and over $1.8m in prizemoney for his new connections.
Jim has worked with racehorse owners, breeders and trainers all over the world to help them get the most value and enjoyment out of their horses. While each role, horse and client has been unique in their requirements, he has made it a priority to make a name for himself as an agent who is not only knowledgeable, but acts with transparency, integrity and honesty. It is these values that have become the cornerstone of Clarke Bloodstock and established Jim as a reputable, sought-after bloodstock agent and consultant.
Ben joined Clarke Bloodstock in 2024 following his completion of the two-year Godolphin Flying Start program.
With his father being a former jockey, turned steward in Victoria, the racing industry has always been at the heart of his life.
While studying a bachelor’s degree of Media and Communications (Sport Journalism) at La Trobe University in Victoria, he also worked several casual roles to gain further experience in the racing industry. These included as a stablehand for Pat Carey before then moving to Jason Warren and Dean Krongold Racing.
He also worked casual jobs at Melbourne Racing Club in a racing operations role helping mainly with racedays and jumpouts, at Racing.com sorting their social media accounts and at the Mornington Peninsula News Group where he was a journalist for four years.
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Alongside this, he picked up work at the Winning Post organising the Mornington trackwork column, as well as with Sportsbet/Racing.com in producing the Pick 7 competition which ran every Saturday.
Finally, before being accepted onto the Flying Start program, Ben spent a year and a half as the Data Co-ordinator for Racing Victoria working on the jumpouts so that they could be accessed in one central location on Racing.com rather than being spread between individual clubs.
His two years on the Godolphin Flying Start program has opened his eyes to not only the various sectors in the industry but also how they vary between countries having spent time in the UK, Ireland, US, Australia and Dubai.
Bringing this experience to Clarke Bloodstock, Ben’s role involves bloodstock research and analysis, marketing and general administration.
He is passionate about helping provide owners and breeders with a more informed understanding through statistical analysis and research to help make their decision process less tedious.
If you have a question about Clarke Bloodstock or are unsure about where to get started in the industry, you can reach out to Ben to help you get started.
Contact Jim to arrange a meeting to discuss your desired level of investment, goals and requirements.
Jim will develop an action plan and offer recommendations that are geared towards helping you achieve your desired outcomes and reducing your risk.
As your trusted advisor, Clarke Bloodstock will manage the logistics and implementation of your plan, keeping you in the loop every step of the way.