Castlemartin Stud Sold; Malone Rumored Buyer

CASTLEMARTIN STUD SOLD; MALONE RUMORED BUYER 
Sir Anthony and Lady Chryss O’Reilly’s Castlemartin Stud near Co. Kildare, Ireland, has been sold, with American businessman John Malone, who less than a week ago purchased Ballylinch Stud, the rumored buyer. The Irish Times reported yesterday that Malone was close to closing a deal on the historic 750-acre property. Paddy Jordon of Jordan Auctioneers, joint selling agent with Knight Frank, confirmed to the TDN that the property was sold, but could not name the buyer or the price. Jordan Auctioneers and Knight Frank had been quoting in excess of €30 million through a private treaty sale process. 

Castlemartin Stud went on the market in October, three months after Allied Irish Bank entered a judgement of €45 million against O’Reilly and two of his investment firms. It is reported that O’Reilly’s debts, incurred following loses from Waterford Wedgwood and the Independent News and Media newspaper group, stood at the time at €195 million. 
Malone, the chairman of Liberty Media Corp, bought Bridlewood Farm in Florida in August 2013 and is the largest landowner in the U.S. He has also invested significantly in Irish properties; according to The Irish Times, Malone has spent about €150 million on three Dublin hotels and one Limerick hotel. He also bought the Humewood Castle in Co. Wicklow for €8 million in 2012. 

Malone has also been busy buying up bloodstock, spending $7.9 million on four horses at Keeneland November. Castlemartin Stud is a proven breeding ground, having housed in recent years the likes of G1 Irish Oaks winner Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}); three-time GI Canadian International hero Joshua Tree (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and G1 Pretty Polly S. winner Chinese White (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}).