In The Hot Seat: Alessandro Marconi

[Wandering Eyes]

Alessandro Marconi is perhaps best known for sourcing French 2,000 Guineas winner Metropolitan for just €78,000, but did you know that the Italian-born bloodstock agent can drink olive oil as if it were water? We bet you didn't.

Marconi is next in the hot seat, where he reveals all of that and more. Enjoy.

You are best known as the man who bought Metropolitan for €78,000 but what's the biggest mistake you've made in this business?

Selling Facteur Cheval after he won his maiden. I think another mistake has been operating as a solo player rather than a global operator with deeper roots in the Middle Eastern market. If you get labelled too quickly in this game, and the label is wrong, you will struggle to become successful. At times, this can chew you up and spit you out. The key is to recognize your essential use and, despite how competitive the field may seem, work out where you can offer value.

How did you become a bloodstock agent in the first place?

Out of necessity. I worked with Ahmed Bin Harmash in Dubai for 11 years and that was at a time when building the stable was essential, so working the horses-in-training and breeze-up markets was a core part of the business. From that point of view, I have huge respect and understanding as to how good the younger Irish guys are. Their approach to a sale is very interesting. There is a great group of pinhookers that I would struggle to match because they can buy the foal with the right page that will marry up with market demand in six to nine months and, usually, make four or five times their investment. Then the breeze-up men and women are on a whole new level. I find that fascinating and believe that this generation is extremely sharp. 

What was your defining memory of 2025? 

This year was a rollercoaster that I am still dealing with.

Tell us something people don't know about Alessandro Marconi….

I can drink olive oil as if it were water! Also, I love Formula 1. One other thing, I live my life by the mantra that tomorrow is another day. Therefore, if I can help somebody, I will. 

What keeps you awake at night?

Watching races in America! Or else slow clients. I deal with some clients who must have memory problems because it takes them a while to pay their invoices!

What motivates you?

My Family.

Give us an underrated sire to keep the right side of next year…

I give Baaeed a big chance. He was a top-class racehorse and I liked his yearlings. I think he will do well. Also, in America, I like McKinzie. In Ireland, Make Believe is another stallion who consistently comes up with nice horses.

Biggest regret?

To this day, not buying Zaaki still haunts me. But I believe in fate so maybe it wasn't for me. More realistically, I regret not building a proper team of owners and horses by now.

Your favourite sale/place and why?

For holidays, it has to be Sardinia but for business, the Gold Coast in Australia. I think that will be the next stop for me. It seems to be a lucky charm for a lot of bloodstock agents. 

What's your go-to karaoke song?

That's an easy one. Nessun Dorma, by Luciano Pavarotti. 

Who is your inspiration?

Enzo Ferrari. He was a great breeder and was able to train his own horses well. A few people in Ireland, Yorkshire and even France have managed to emulate him. 

How do you want to be remembered?

As one hell of an agent who managed to pull a little horse out of nowhere that would go on to win big races on the racetrack. That would be nice.

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