Bloodstock troubadour; LETTERS.

I WIPED away a tear when I read in the Racing Post (November 20) that bloodstock agent Billy McDonald had died. While Billy's greatest hits - the purchases of Alleged and Fairy Bridge - took place a long time ago, the man's legacy is still keenly felt today.

Billy was one of a handful of independent bloodstock agents active in the 1970s and 1980s who, as a group, were the first to pioneer, then define and ultimately embody, everything a bloodstock agent should be.

Their influence extends to the many bloodstock agents active today: it was Billy and his contemporaries who carved the mould for the modern agent. He was one of those troubadours who became so closely identified with the road they travel upon that ultimately they become part of that road.

Everyone who knew him has their favourite Billy story, and perhaps the best is contained in Henry Cecil's (rather premature!) autobiography On The Level, which is far too rude to repeat here.

Of course, the bloodstock market of the 1970s was a very different landscape to the industry of today, but Billy could talk the talk, walk the walk and ultimately sell anything to anyone.

With style, a bulging address book and probably more than just a smattering of patter, Billy's art was to beat the drum that brought new investors from all walks of life into the bloodstock business - a role that only relatively recently has become 'official' through the likes of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and the French Racing and Breeding Committee.

Above all, Billy was glamorous, Billy was kind and Billy was fun.

One of my childhood memories is of him teaching me how to smear Vaseline over the door handle of the downstairs loo, so poor unsuspecting souls would be locked in.

I last spoke to him a couple of months ago, after the birth of my own son. Billy promised to send him something and - true to his word - wrote with not a cheque but a photograph of himself with Frank Sinatra, signed by both of them, with a letter to explain that it had always been one of his favourite things.

Daft, but typical of Billy in so many ways. When my son is old enough, I will explain to him why the photograph should be one of his own prize possessions, too. Dear Bill!

Milo Corbett London W1

CAPTION(S):

Like Ol' Blue Eyes, agent Billy McDonald did it his way