PADDY JORDAN
Paddy Jordan, The Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare
In an inspiring journey that spans over half a century, our founder Paddy Jordan, has left an indelible mark on Ireland's property market and the horse racing industry. Specialising in high-quality land sales and stud farms, Paddy’s influence extends from fostering the entrance of Middle Eastern players into Irish horse racing, to facilitating major property sales and shaping Kildare's development as a commercial hotspot. We sum up his interview with Miriam Mulcahy from the Irish Times and briefly delve into his remarkable career, his impactful transactions, and the evolving trends in Ireland's property market.
See the full Irish Times article: https://bit.ly/3jHhYdu
STUD FARMS & THE EARLY YEARS
Paddy, a seasoned property agent with over 50 years of experience, has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of Ireland's horse racing industry through the sale of premium land and stud farms. Paddy has a deep-rooted understanding of the importance of the quality of land, such as that in Kildare, renowned for its mineral-rich limestone that's ideal for rearing thoroughbreds.
Raised on a farm in Carlow and trained in auctioneering, Paddy’s career catapulted when he joined the Curragh Bloodstock Agency (CBA) in 1977. The CBA was keen on expanding into property, which allowed Paddy to establish CBA Estates, a one-stop shop for the equine industry.
One of his greatest accomplishments was facilitating the entrance of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum into Ireland's horse racing world. Through Paddy's introduction, the Sheikh purchased Woodpark Stud in Dunboyne, marking the beginning of Middle Eastern influence on Irish horse racing.
The Sheikh's subsequent acquisitions, like Kildangan Stud Farm, paved the way for the establishment of Godolphin and Darley, two highly successful horse breeding operations. Today, Godolphin owns several farms in Ireland and Kildangan serves as a breaking and training centre for yearlings. These ventures have boosted employment and put Ireland on the global horse racing map.
After leaving CBA in 1992, Paddy continued his successful career, facilitating significant sales like Castlemartin, a mansion owned by media mogul Tony O'Reilly, which was sold to American tycoon John Malone in 2015.
Despite handling multimillion-euro deals, Paddy emphasises the importance of family home sales for Jordan Auctioneers.
PROPERTY SALES
Beyond horse racing, Paddy's impact extends to the development of Kildare as a significant location for major employers like Pfizer, Kerry Group, and Diageo. He is currently handling a large project for Ballymore in Newbridge. However, Paddy also highlights challenges, such as traffic congestion and a shortage of school places in the locality, which need to be addressed for future development.
As home demands evolve and remote work has become the norm, Paddy notes the changing preferences of buyers. Wi-FI is now a huge priority along with extra office space. However, for Jordan Auctioneers he believes in the importance of face-to-face interactions, emphasising the value of forming relationships with clients.