This special stud is a racing certainty to sell
The upshot of a long battle to maintain control of his business empire sees Castlemartin Stud on the block as part of O’Reilly’s bid to offset €45 million of borrowing from AIB, the state-owned bank.
The sale price quoted of €30 million may put a dent in the judgement from the lender, but O’Reilly’s total indebtedness is reported to be €195 million from losses accrued through investment in companies abroad, INM shares and also, Waterford Wedgewood shares.
If his business acumen was legendary, then his eye for property was also keen — Castlemartin Stud is regarded as one of the best stud farms in the country.
“Of all the stud farms I’ve sold in Kildare, none would hold a candle to this,” says Paddy Jordan of Jordan Town and Country Estates, who has sold to Sheihk Abdullah amongst others.
He’s joint agent in the Castlemartin sale with Knight Frank.
“It has 750 acres in one beautiful piece of continuous land — it’s a smashing piece of ground with one and a half acres of frontage onto the Liffey. It has a great location just past the village of Kilcullen but it’s very private, you can’t see another house once you’re in there — it’s surrounded by mature timber.
“The house has been maintained with great taste — it’s a real home and a warm and welcoming place.
“All I need now is someone to buy it,” he concludes.
Close by the Curragh and with perfect limestone land, the farm has bred a number of Prix de l’Arc de Troimphe winners as well as Irish Oaks winner, Chiquita, andGrade 1 winners Joshua Tree and Chinese White, who’s now a broodmare at the stud, alongside her dam, Chiang Mai.
The bloodstock element of the farm, which is overseen byAnthony O’Reilly’s wife, Chryss, is not part of the sale, and it’s expected the O’Reillys will continue to train and breed their horses from their home in France and other locations.
Meanwhile, the prospect of an early Georgian residence, with 750 immaculate acres, enough housing and grassland for 400 head of cattle, and over 90 stables, should tempt Middle-Eastern buyers and Asian buyers, as well, perhaps, as this country’s quietly wealthy breeders and trainers who will be well aware of the attractions of Castlemartin Stud.
