KNIGHTFIELD Stud and Equestrian Centre in Straffan, Co Kildare, was the home to Guidam, the sire of over 35 Grand Prix show jumpers. Among them are Bezzie Madden’s Olympic gold medallist Authentic and the now famous stallion Luidam.

Partnered by Ireland’s Billy Twomey, Luidam jumped on the winning Aga Khan team of 2004 and placed second in the Dublin Grand Prix and the five-star St Gallen Grand Prix, to name just a few of his achievements.

Knightfield’s owner Tom Rowland was synonymous with breeding and producing horses from his 39 acres training facility in Co Kildare. However, after some consideration, he has decided to place the stud on the market as he begins to wind down and retire.

Set on 39 acres, it can only be described as a state of the art training facility for sport horses. Comprising 28 stables in a beautiful well-maintained courtyard, a 60m x 45m indoor arena with a viewing area, conference facilities and a PA system, plus an all-weather 75m x 35m outdoor arena, Knightfield Stud appeals as an equestrian facility that has the capacity to hold shows and training days.

Accessed from the road, the avenue to the yard in lined by stud railed paddocks. The 39 acre parcel is laid out in seven divisions, all of which are fully stud railed.

There are not many stable yards like Knightfield in Ireland. Built by Rowland in 2007, it is laid out in a square courtyard with 28 stables. Most attractively, grass makes up the inside of the courtyard and it is separated by paved walk ways.

Equipped with a tack room, offices, a feed room, a kitchen area, a toilet and treatment areas for the horses, the yard is ready to resume its use. As well as the courtyard, there are two separate isolation stable blocks with four stables each away from the main yard. The property also boasts a six-bay open-sided hay barn and a three-bay hay barn.

An indoor arena of this size is a great asset to any equestrian facility. Irish show jumper Caitriona Fallon was based at the Straffan yard for a number of years, where she trained and produced Rowland’s show jumping horses for the national circuit.

The viewing area, conference room and PA system suggest that the arena was built with shows and training in mind and this presents an opportunity for somebody looking to develop a training business in the industry to grab Knightfield with two hands.

LIVING FACILITIES

The facility also has the benefit of three apartments onsite, all located under a large two-storey building at the end of the avenue beside the yard. There are two two-bedroom apartments and one larger four bedroom apartment.

While the living areas are all in good condition, the area surrounding the outside of the building is in need of a little finishing.

The property has also the benefit of a derelict house with its own separate access, which would provide for an ideal site subject to the necessary planning consent.

Located 3km from Straffan town and the M4 motorway, 6km from the University town of Maynooth and less than 30 minutes from Dublin city, Knightsfield is in the heart of the equestrian world in Co Kildare and in close travelling distance to the most of the premier shows in Ireland.

Brought to the market by Philip Byrne of REA Coonan, Maynooth and Celbridge, and Fergus Slattery of Fergus Slattery Property Investments Limited, Dublin, the property is for sale by private treaty and being offered in two separate lots or in its entire.

Lot 1 comprises the derelict cottage with seven boxes on two acres, while lot 2 includes the equestrian centre on 37 acres. It seems likely, however, that the entire property will be sold to a sport horse enthusiast.

Selling agent Philip Byrne reports a healthy interest in the property, which is guided at €1.25 million.

FACILITIES: 28 stables, 60m x 45m indoor arena, 75m x 35m all-weather outdoor, 2 x four-stable yards, viewing gallery, conference centre

LAND: 39 acres in seven divisions

HOME: Two-story apartment block with 2 x two-bedroom flats and one four-bedroom apartment, derelict house