KEVIN Prendergast has confirmed he will continue to train out of Friarstown Stables next year, following the sale of the majority of the property this week.

The Curragh property was put up for auction, with one of the two training yards bought for an overseas client.

The property consisted of two yards, each with a staff residence, standing on a total of 250ac. It was offered in four lots at the auction in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, by agents Raymond Potterton Auctioneers and Goffs Country. All lots were bid on, including the entire.

One yard standing on 73ac was knocked down for €1.9 million or €26,000/ac.

Next, an adjacent block of 37ac of grassland sold under the hammer for €900,000 or €24,300/ac. These two lots were bought by David Hanlon of Pelham Properties, who was acting in trust for an overseas client.

Another lot of 50ac was withdrawn at €950,000, but was sold immediately afterward following negotiations with the leading bidder, understood to be Irish-based.

The second yard, standing on 90ac, which was Lot 1, has now been retained by the Prendergast family.

Afterwards, auctioneer Stephen Barry of Raymond Potterton said: “Both selling agents were delighted to handle the sale of this training set-up. It has brought a lot of success and joy over past decades and we hope that success continues for the new owners.”

Yesterday, Prendergast told The Irish Field: “I was happy with the prices. We don’t know a lot about the buyers but I will be training as usual here next year.”