THORNTON Park Equestrian Centre is one of the finest equestrian facilities in the country and, standing on 14 acres in North County Dublin, it has arrived on the market in all its glory.

Built from a greenfield site in 1992 by Suzanne Archer-Murphy, who has maintained and improved the centre over the last 25 years, the decision to sell the business that she put her heart and soul into was a tough one.

As business at Thornton Park grew, the demand for livery and training increased and Archer-Murphy expanded the centre along the way. In 1997, the impressive flood-lit indoor arena was extended to stand now at 75 x 25 metres.

The main building has four barns, two of which were built in 1992 and a further two which were added during the second build. Most recently, in 2012, another stable yard, the emerald barn, was constructed to bring the number of stables at the facility to 58.

Comprising five stables with a tack room and staff area, the emerald barn is geared towards staff with their own competition horses or a small sales yard away from the busy livery yard.

Speaking to Suzanne about the sale, it is obvious she has a great passion for giving back to the equestrian industry. “A very big part of the life of Thornton Park is training. So many people started with us here and they have gone on to do fantastic things. It has been such a fantastic experience meeting all the people I have through the years,” she said.

The main building includes a seated viewing area and lecture room on the ground floor, as well as a second viewing area and fully serviced kitchen upstairs. The facility is host to conferences and lectures and can seat 25 people in the restaurant area.

IMMACULATE

It is evident to see why the centre has been such a success with the immaculate facilities readily available. Outside, laid out conveniently, there are two large all-weather sand arenas, a six-bay horse walker and an all-weather turn out area.

There are 35 turnout paddocks on site, all divided by post and rail fencing, and Suzanne advised that it may be possible for the potential owner to purchase some extra adjoining land. Adjacent to the main building is a four-bedroom bungalow that provides in-house accommodation for employees.

EXPANSION

There are endless opportunities for further expansion at Thornton Park, including the possible construction of a main house as the bungalow is classified at staff accomodation.

“I feel there is so much room for expansion. If you ask me have I put the max into it? No I havent!” Suzanne said. “I also think there is an opportunity for somebody to open a good tack shop because there is so much square footage there.

“I have ticked the box now and it’s time to do other things,” she explained about her reasons for sale.

Thornton Park is a BHS approved training and the only BHS exam centre in the north Dublin area. It is also an AIRE approved training centre and livery yard and has a fantastic team who hope to stay on if the new buyer continues to run the business as a training and livery yard.

Approached through a private driveway, at first glance Thornton Park looks like a luxury home rather than an equestrian centre. Located in Kilsallaghan, Swords, just 10km from Dublin Airport, is in an attractive location for an Irish investor or perhaps someone based abroad that requires an Irish base for their operations.

Within a convenient commuter belt, Dublin city is just 18km away and Sword village an 8km drive.

The property is being offered by private treaty with an asking prive of €1.4 million with the sale being handled by Philip Guckian of Sherry Fitzgerald Country Home, Farms and Estates, Dublin.

This property is being sold as a going concern.