Under starter’s orders

By Tommy Barker INTO horses? Saddle up, and ride out towards Slievenamon - South Lodge to be precise - a spot that has been home to race winners trained by David Wachman, now married to John Magnier’s daughter Katie.

Back on the market after last changing hands only a few years ago is South Lodge, a compact - yet six bedroomed - Georgian home, on 120 acres of fertile Tipperary land.

As a property, South Lodge has a pedigree of training racehorses, and in current fine fettle it still is aimed at the horseback set.

The current vendors moved up from Cork, and preceding owners let the horse training facilities to young and up-coming trainer David Wachman, who married into the Magnier set last year with a spectacular wedding bash - Valentino dresses and rose petals strewn on the road to Fethard, that sort of stuff. But, back to ranch...

South Lodge’s 120 acres of land include three gallops, a seven furlong all-weather gallop, a peat gallop and one in grass, the bulk is prime pasture land. The former walled garden is now used as a pony paddock.

The horses at South Lodge are as well looked after as the human inhabitants: behind the house is a house yard with stable yard, which has 24 boxes, tack and rug rooms, feed room, a second yard with 18 boxes - and an American barn with 12 more boxes, as well as a groom’s house.

The house, a neat and pretty Georgian home with butter yellow walls, porch and three reception rooms, is in the middle of its 120 acres, with a long railed drive and has a small trout lake down a few fields from the front, framed by mature woodland.

There are views of Slievenamon and the Comeraghs, with hill walking and hacking trails, and the area is noted for livestock, bloodstock and equestrian activities, says estate agent Michael H Daniels who gives South Lodge a €1.6 million-plus price guide for its vendors.

Location is 10 miles from Clonmel, Kilkenny is 20 miles, and the relative proximity of airports in Cork and Waterford is underpinning interest from the UK. “There is a good level of interest in South Lodge right now, both from the UK and from Ireland, and it is mostly coming from those involved in horses in some way,” said Michael Daniels. South Lodge is under offer.

He noted it could suit for training, stud farm or riding centre. The main residence is a quality home, attractively decorated and presented, with period features and fireplaces.

Rooms include entrance hall and stair hall with galleried landing, drawing room, dining room, breakfast room, study with fitted bookshelves, and both the kitchen (with almost obligatory four oven Aga) and entrance porch have terrazzo floors.

There’s a laundry, utility, boot room, and two of the six bedrooms have ensuite facilities.