Kilfrush Stud, Knocklong, Co. Limerick

KILFRUSH STUD, KNOCKLONG

FEATURES

LOCATION

Kilfrush Stud, Knocklong, Limerick

DESCRIPTION

Kilfrush Stud is a superb property on circa 286 acres (115.74 hectares) with extensive residence with guest wing, gate lodge, manager’s residence, 2 staff houses, apartment and 73 boxes with various ancillary facilities provided for the full operation of a successful breeding enterprise.

The land is primarily in one block with an internal road system giving access to all the paddocks. There is superb mature timber throughout the farm and all boundaries providing excellent natural shelter. The land itself is good quality limestone, ideally suited for grass growth. The success from the stud itself indicates that the land has the ability to produce quality, having bred over 80 Group and Stakes winners.

Background & History

The Kilfrush Estate House was designed by C.F Anderson in circa 1835 as part of a larger demesne for Joseph Gubbins who was the landlord and later to become High Sheriff of County Limerick in 1863.

In 1969 the house was sold and purchased by an Irish American Mr. John A. Mulcahy on 220 acres of land. Mr. Mulcahy made extensive renovations to the house and added a new wing. He also purchased the adjoining farm bringing the total area to approximately 286 acres.

Richard Nixon the 37th President of the United States stayed in Kilfrush House in October 1970, as part of a three day visit and a lot of the renovation/ extension works to the house correlated with this visit. Mr. Mulcahy sold Kilfrush to Mr. Jean Pierre Binet in 1978.

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. Initial works commenced in 1980 including fencing and draining of all the lands. It was at this point that many of the stable yards were constructed and the main house itself underwent further renovation.

The lake to the front of the house was created in circa 1991/1992 and it is naturally supplied from drains under a section of the lands.

Pedigree

Kilfrush has bred over 80 Group and Stakes winners including the following:

Last Tycoon (Gr. 1 Breeder’s Cup and Champion Sprint Miler).
No Pass No Sale (Gr. 1 Poule d’Essaie de Pouliches).
Caerlina (Gr. 1 Prix Diane (French Oaks)
Valentine Waltz (Gr. 1 Poule d’Essaie de Pouliches)
Immortal Verse (Gr. 1 Coronation Stakes)
King’s Drama (Gr. 1 Sword Dance Inul Stakes)
Cerulean Sky (Gr. 1 Prix Saint Alary)
Claire Marine (Gr. 1 Matriarch Stakes & Group 1 Beverly Hills H)
Truly Special (Gr. 3 Prix de Royaument)
Modhish (Gr. 2 Grand Prix de Deauville)
Russian Snows (Gr. 2 Prix Royalieu)
Splendid Moment (Gr. 2 Prix due Chenes)
Josr Algarhoud (Gr. 2 Gimcrack Stakes)
Wigganthorpe (Gr. 2 Gimcrack Stakes)
Truly A Dream (Gr. 2 E.P. Taylor Stakes)
New Girlfriend (Gr. 2 Prix Robert Papin)
Memphis Tennessee (Gr. 3 Ormonde Stakes)
Toboug (Gr. 1 Dewhurst Stakes)
Bestebreuje (Gr. 2 in USA)
Know Heights (Gr. 2 Santa Anita)
Royal Bench (Gr. 2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein)
My Style (Gr. 2 Del Mar Invitational H)

Hunting

Kilfrush is in the heart of Scarteen Hunt (Black & Tans) country, renowned worldwide, for one of the best known pack of foxhounds. Other packs within boxing distance include:- Duhallow, Limerick County Hounds and Tipperary Fox Hounds.

Main Residence

The main residence comprises a detached eight – bay two – storey house built, in circa 1835 with five bay – side elevation. The house was renovated and extended initially in time for President Nixon’s arrival in 1970 and again in circa 1980.

Overall the entire is in good condition throughout with extensive accommodation of approximately 1,027 sq.m (11,054 sq.ft) in the original house. In addition there is generous accommodation in the Guest Wing. The rooms are all spacious with high ceilings and superb plasterwork.

There is excellent natural light with an outstanding vista over the lake from the main reception rooms. There are many traditional design features throughout and any work completed has been sympathetic to the original. There is a ‘Bossi’ & ‘Adam Style’ fireplaces throughout the house and other features which make the property an ideal house for entertaining with the benefit of also being a very comfortable family home.

The house is surrounded by mature timber and two walled gardens. The house overlooks a lake which was constructed in the early 1990’s and which forms a superb visual amenity to the main residence.

Gate lodge

Located just inside the main entrance, built in 1968 with Waterville stone and extending to circa 116.2 sq.m (1,250 sq.ft) the accommodation provides kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom and 4 bedrooms. There is oil fired central heating and is all in good condition.

Managers House

This is a two storey house adjacent to main yard extending to circa 226.2 sq.m (2,434 sq.ft). The accommodation is all in excellent condition with kitchen
(Aga cooker), living room, dining room, drawing room, wc, sunroom and 4 bedrooms (2 ensuite).

Staff house 1: c. 125 sq.m. (1,345 sq.ft.) built in the 1980s

A compact two storey house located adjacent to the main yard and comprising kitchen/ dining room, living room, office, study, bathroom and 3 bedrooms.

Staff house 2: c. 125 sq.m. (1,345 sq.ft.) built in the 1980s

This is almost a direct replica of staff house 1 with added conservatory. Ideal for staff or guest accommodation.

Stud office

There is a stud office located in the main yard and it provides a number of rooms for administration in addition to toilets and kitchen. There is also a one bedroom staff apartment.

Main Yard 1

Laid out as square Courtyard

This yard is located to the immediate east of the main residence with a total of 24 boxes including a stallion box, tack and feed rooms, 3 foaling boxes (sitting up room), workshop and 3 pony boxes.

The entire is in excellent condition throughout and all the boxes are fitted with automatic drinkers and feed pots.

Outer yard

The outer yard comprises 11 yearling boxes with 2 x 3 span hay sheds fully enclosed with concrete base. There is a 14 metre x 14 metre lunging ring and 5 other hay sheds with lean- to.

Loading ramp, American barn with 22 boxes and a tack/feed room and stocks.

There are also 2 bull pens under a covered shed and a lofted feed house. The yard is all under concrete and has been very well designed and arranged for the current enterprise.

There are 6 isolation boxes provided away from the main yards and a covered 6 unit automatic walker. Separate dungstead provided behind this yard.

Large garage.

Isolation yard

This yard is located to the south of the main holding and is essentially used as an isolation yard with access off the main road. The yard comprises 12 stables, feed house with water, all weather turnout paddock and access to several paddocks.

Lands

The entire property extends to circa 286 acres (115.74 hectares) and is all laid out in grass with post and rail fencing and an internal road system accessing the various paddocks (20). There is superb shelter throughout with piped water to each paddock. The farm is ideal for grass production and has been well managed by the present owners.

The lands are classified in the Soils map of County Limerick as a combination of ‘Elton’’ and ‘Howardstown’ series.

There are charming walks through the wooded shelter belt around the farm.

ACCOMMODATION