THE estate left by the late Des Vere Hunt is the subject of two legal actions.

Based at Garraun Stud in Fethard, Vere Hunt is best known in racing as the co-breeder of Cape Blanco, winner of the Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes in 2010.

Vere Hunt died in 2021 and his 275-acre stud farm is reportedly valued at over €3 million.

The Sunday Independent reported that he made four wills in the three years before his death. The main beneficiary of the first will is his stepdaughter Elizabeth McCarthy and her husband, Martin. The second and third wills favour his niece Mary Vere Hunt Parton, daughter of the late Philip de Vere Hunt. The fourth will names friend and advisor Robin Moyles as the chief beneficiary.

In her court affidavit, Mary Vere Hunt Parton claims that her uncle suffered from poor health in the years before his death and she believes he was not in a fit state of mind when he made his final will.

The McCarthys also claim Des Vere Hunt was not of sound mind when he made two wills leaving the majority of the estate to his niece.

The four wills were dated May 24th, 2018; December 14th, 2018; September 3rd, 2019; and the final one on November 9th, 2020. The cases are expected to come to trial in the next six months.