BALLYVOLANE Stud in Bruff, Co Limerick was sold at auction last week, making almost €13,200/acre for auctioneer Richard Ryan of GVM Auctioneers, Kilmallock. Described as “an outstanding stud farm”, the property stands on circa 77 acres and came to the market with a four-bedroom bungalow, a three-bedroom farmhouse, 30 loose boxes, lunging ring, horse walker and a range of loose sheds, haybarns and out offices.

Around 30 people turned up to last week’s auction in the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare, where the property was in two separate lots initially. The first lot comprising the farmhouse and outbuildings on circa 69 acres was bid to €450,000 while the bungalow residence on eight acres failed to get an opening bid.

With that, the entire opened at €600,000 and with the help of three active bidders, the sale price quickly progressed to €885,000. The property was then declared on the market and five minutes later, the hammer fell at €1,015,000 to a north Cork business woman. It’s believed that she was acting on behalf of her son who intends to operate his bloodstock business from Ballyvolane. The under bidders were business people from Kilmallock who also have bloodstock and farming interests.

STALLIONS

Ballyvolane was home to Moscow Society, who was one of the country’s leading sires. During his racing career he was placed at two and won his maiden as a three-year-old. He also finished second in the Queen’s Vase at Ascot, but injured himself and was forced to retire as a four-year-old. Some of his more notable winners include Galway Plate winner Moscow Express, Rouble, a Group 1 winner, and group winner Society Brief.

Commenting after the auction Richard Ryan said: “It was particularly pleasing to see three active bidders for the entire. Ballyvolane is a renowned stud with very strong history and was home to some fantastic sires such as Moscow Society, The Parson and Menelek who were leading sires of their time.”