Jockey owner set to whip old manor into shape
The highly-regarded jockey is now in the process of purchasing the house and lands for an undisclosed sum.
When contacted, Mr Culloty was reticent about his new purchase, as contracts are still not through, but he did say he wouldn’t be giving up the day job immediately.
He also said that he planned a complete overhaul of the period property in North Cork.
The Killarney man is expected to set up home there with long-term girlfriend and newly-announced fiancee, Susie Samworth, who, ironically, considering the jockey’s stringent diet, is an heiress to one of England’s largest pie-making companies.
The winning rider of the last two Cheltenham Gold Cup is to renovate the period property that comes with the 88-acre farm and, according to selling agent, Derry Walsh of Sherry FitzGerald Walsh, he may break and train horses there eventually.
Mr Culloty also insisted that he will continue to ride for some time, however, it’s believed he has signed on for a green cert and will take his investment seriously.
The Mount Corbett holding had been on the market for some time with at least two agents, and Derry Walsh of Charleville was the last to handle the sale.
He gave a guide price of €900,000 for the 88-farm which includes a 5,000 square foot house, just 11 miles from Mallow, but no sale price has been announced.
“It’s a beautiful setting, peaceful and calm, with lots of mature trees and it deserves to be returned to its former glory,” said Mr Walsh.
The main house, which comes with five bedrooms and a number of reception rooms, had been partially renovated, but will need a complete overhaul, something Jim Culloty is planning to do.
Oil heating has been installed and the house has had a new roof put on, however, it hasn’t been lived in for over two years.
The sale includes a cut-stone, L-shaped courtyard, which could provide stabling for a couple of horses, perhaps. More modern facilities include a slatted house with accommodation for up to 50 head.
The lands are dry and suitable for grazing or tillage, although cereal aid doesn’t apply here.
Mount Corbett is just three miles from the attractive village of Churchtown, where a huge regeneration project is underway, including the provision of modern housing estates, as well as the restoration of existing period buildings.
Churchtown is hallowed ground for horse racing fans, as the location where Vincent O’Brien started his glittering training career.
Voted the all-time No 1 of Racing Greats in the recent Racing Post survey, he trained the winners of four Cheltenham Gold Cups, three Champion Hurdles, three consecutive Grand Nationals, 26 Irish and 15 British Classics, including six Derbys.
Jim Culloty would be happy with a fraction of such successes, if he succeeds in his plan to refurbish Mount Corbett and take up training after his riding career.
But that’s some time away and Jim and Susie have years to work on their North Cork hideaway.
Meanwhile, Jim bids to improve on his very successful 02/03 season, in which his mounts accumulated winnings of about €1.2m on British tracks.
