Blue-chip stud for sale as renowned breeder Bob Lanigan gives up farming

Respected breeder Bob Lanigan has put the grandiose Tullamaine Castle Stud in County Tipperary on the market after taking the decision to step back from farming.

Lanigan, who was instrumental in setting up Coolmore in its early days and was the operation's general manager for more than 20 years, has bred or raised numerous high-class horses at Tullamaine Castle Stud, including Close Conflict, Delilah, Lake Coniston and Mistertopogigo.

“I'll be 70 in December and none of the children are at home to take on running the property, so I've taken the decision to retire from the business of farming,” Lanigan said. “I enjoy travelling with my wife Deirdre and I hope to enjoy more time with her.”

Lanigan, father of Newmarket trainer David, is not withdrawing from the bloodstock business entirely though, and he added: “I'd like to keep a couple of mares at a boarding farm and would be open to doing consultancy work.”

Asked for his highlight of nearly 40 years of breeding at Tullamaine Castle Stud, Lanigan said: “We produced many nice horses but the homebreds Pollenator and The Miniver Rose winning the May Hill and Park Hill Stakes within a day of each other at the St Leger meeting in 2009 was particularly memorable.

“We enjoyed a particularly fruitful association with Highclere and the Royal Ascot Racing Club, selling them Lake Coniston, Delilah and Pollenator.”

Tullamaine Castle Stud, which is being marketed by Goffs Property with the price on request, is set in 186 acres of fertile land in the heart of Ireland's Golden Vale.

As its name indicates, the stud is a magnificent early 19th century castle with five ground-floor reception rooms including a spacious drawing room and library.

Equestrian facilities include 40 boxes, 14 of them in an American barn, a lunging ring, covering barn, machine shed, pump room and associated outbuildings.

Goffs' Andrew Nolan said: “Blue-chip stud farms with a breeding history like Tullamaine Castle’s seldom come on to the market.

"However, following the pattern of recent years we would anticipate that an industry buyer will come forward to continue the tradition of this world renowned stud.”

Tullamaine Castle was built by William Tinsley for John Maher, MP for County Wexford, and was once the home of renowned atomic physicist and amateur jockey Derek Jackson and wife Pamela, one of the Mitford sisters.

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