THE magnificent Kilfrush Stud in Knocklong, Co Limerick, has come back on the market and will go to public auction next month with a guide price in excess of €5.5 million.

Kilfrush was founded in the early 1980s with a delightful Georgian residence together with manager’s house, gate lodge, staff houses and 73 boxes, and stands on 286 acres of top-class land.

The estate was built as part of a larger demesne for Joseph Gubbins, who was the landlord and later became High Sherriff of Co Limerick. In 1969 was purchased by John A. Mulcahy. Kilfrush had been used as a dairy farm and it was only after 1978 that it began to be converted into a full self-contained bloodstock operation.

Kilfrush was managed for many years by Brendan and Anne Marie Hayes for French-based Richard Strauss. In 2013 Strauss sold Kilfrush to Qatari businessman Mubarak Al Naemi. David Ryan of Arran Bloodstock managed Kilfrush for the current owner.

Kilfrush has a classic pedigree having bred many winners over the years including 80 group and listed winners that feature such as Last Tycoon (Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile; champion sprinter/miler), No Pass No Sale (Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains), Immortal Verse (Group 1 Coronation Stakes) and many more.

The property is located just outside the village of Knocklong, some 24 miles from Adare Manor Hotel, 20 miles from Limerick city and 30 miles from Shannon Airport.

The main residence comprises a detached eight bay two storey house with five bay side elevation. The house was renovated and extended in time for President Nixon’s visit in 1970.

It includes four reception rooms, kitchen, wine cellar, various utilities and four principal bedrooms all ensuite. There is the guest/leisure wing which also includes three bedroom suites.

The gate lodge comprises c. 1,108 sq.ft. and includes four bedrooms. The four-bedroom manager’s house is adjacent to the main yard. There are two staff houses and an apartment adjoining the stud office.

Yard

The main yard has 24 boxes including a stallion box, tack and feed room, three foaling boxes, a sitting-up room, workshop and office. The outer yard comprises 11 yearling boxes and various sheds for hay and straw.

This yard also includes the lunging ring, an American barn with a further 22 boxes, tack, feed room and stocks. The isolation yard is located south of the main holding and includes 12 boxes, feed house and turn out paddock.

The land is all laid out in grass with post and rail fencing and internal road system accessing all the paddocks. There is superb shelter with piped water to each paddock.

The farm is ideal for grass production and has been well managed by the present owners.

The property is being offered for sale by Paddy Jordan of Jordan Town and Country Estate Agents who says “it is one of the finest estates to come on the market for some time with a classic pedigree having bred over 80 group and stakes winners”.

Kilfrush Stud goes to public auction on Wednesday, July 24th at 3pm in the Dunraven Arms, Adare, Co Limerick (unless previously sold). The guide price is in excess of €5.5 million.