Racing Yard For Sale in Co. Tipperary

Special Features
– 83.77 ha (207 acres) approximately of exceptional land in permanent pasture
– excellent free draining limestone soil
– main residence with five bedrooms
– fibre broadband connection
– master suite with private dressing room and en suite
– two bedroom staff flat
– 76 loose boxes in two stable yards
– 12 furlong grass gallop with ideal gradient for steady climb
– extensive grass and all weather gallops, straight and circular
– sand arena
– all weather turnout arena
– two horse walkers
– barns, outbuildings, and offices
– potential to expand further by additionally purchasing the adjacent 3 bedroomed residence, Lanespark on c.2.59 ha (6.4 acres); an ideal managers house or further staff accommodation.

Home to legendary trainer, the late Edward O’Grady, Killeens is steeped in Irish horseracing glory. Family home to two generations of O’Grady trainers, equine legends including Tranquil Sea, Sacundai and Golden Cygnet have found their potential on these renowned gallops to win at Aintree, Cheltenham, Punchestown, Galway and The Curragh.

Surrounded by c.83.77 ha (207 acres) of The Golden Vale’s finest grazing, and with extensive facilities, Killeens combines a welcoming country house, with staff accommodation, stabling, barns, gallops and sand arena.

Thoroughbred racehorses matter most at Killeens, and for ninety years, Edward, and his father Willie before him, poured their passion and expertise into the enterprise. There are both grass and all weather fibre sand gallops, the main grass gallop being a mile and half. With their gentle incline, the gallops at Killeens are much envied for building strength and stamina.

Over the years, owners who entrusted their horses to Killeens have included Robert Sangster, the Duke of Bedford, the President of Ireland, and JP McManus, who said “Edward trained my very first Cheltenham Festival winner, Mister Donovan, who won the 2m 5f novice hurdle (now the Neptune Hurdle). It’s fair to say if you want to get into the winner’s enclosure at Cheltenham, Edward is one of the best trainers around to take you there.”

This legacy backdrops Killeens today, and a drive on a misty morning along the estate’s tree-lined lanes to watch the day’s first string of horses go through their paces at the gallops is to find yourself part of its exceptional story. Human comforts are not forgotten either, as the main residence is a warm and welcoming, quintessential Irish country house. With deep bay windows, five bedrooms, and a rosette-festooned kitchen boasting what is said to be one of the oldest Agas in Ireland – although there is a contemporary cooker too – it is a place for conversation, relaxation, entertaining and memorable celebration.

Lanespark – Additional Potential
There is the potential to expand further by purchasing the adjacent Lanespark, adding an additional 3 bedroom house and approximately 2.5ha(6.4acres) to your holdings. Available by separate negotiation with an asking price of €250,000.

The House
While being at the heart of an extraordinarily successful racing yard, the house at Killeens has also always been a warm and welcoming family home. The original house dates from the Georgian era, and its fan-lit entrance is central to a pair of bay windows. Virginia Creeper and Wisteria cover the façade, adding to the charm.

Inside, the generous hallway is laid with wooden parquet flooring, and is flanked by a drawing room and formal dining room to right and left. The drawing room is carpeted and has an open fire, while the dining room has wooden parquet and a wood burner. Both have charming views to the gardens.

The large quarry-tiled kitchen runs across the rear, looking out to the home yard. There is a kitchen island and breakfast area, plenty of storage and counter area, and alongside the requisite white goods, is what is reputed to be one of the oldest Esse stoves in Ireland, still in good working order and adding further heart to this family space.

To the left, in a more recent extension is a bedroom / study, large bay-windowed sitting room, and a bathroom. As there is also access to the rear yard, this gives you obvious flexibility for this area’s use. To the right of the kitchen, find a boot room, store and large utility and laundry room.

Up the stairs, which lead, via a return off the hall, there are four bedrooms. The master has a large ensuite and dressing room. These rooms, and the second bedroom, also ensuite, have garden views. Two further bedrooms share a family bathroom. Both are doubles, and look out over the home yard.

The house has a fibre broadband connection and, as is typical of the classic Irish country houses of the period, there is ample space here to configure and style it to your needs. In addition, a two bedroom staff flat leads off the home yard, and includes a kitchen dining room, and two offices. Again, there is space here to suit your future plans.

Gardens and Grounds at Killeens
A tree lined drive via electric gates leads to Killeens House, just under ten minutes from Ireland’s motorway network, and yet a world away in terms of privacy and security. The house is surrounded by grounds, with mature trees to screen your holdings from view. There is also a second entrance, with its own tree lined drive to the training yard.

The house is fronted by gardens with mature planting, while to the rear is a home yard, with access to a two-bedroomed staff flat, offices, tack rooms and stores. An arch from this yard bring you to a further fully sheltered “secret” garden. Sets of gates secure the gardens and yard, and there are lawns and ample space for growing, entertaining and relaxing.

Equine Facilities at Killeens
The roll call of winners, and Edward O’Grady’s Champion Trainer status attest to the quality of the equine facilities at Killeens. The 76 loose boxes range over three yards. In the home yard and main yard adjacent, there are two tack rooms and stores, and all 31 stables here have drinkers.

The rear yard has six blocks, housing 45 further stables. There are a pair of adjoining haybarns, and additional barns and covered vehicle storage areas. Two walkers have a capacity for eight horses each. There is a wash bay and loading block in this yard.

A sand arena and all weather turn out add to your scope. Beyond all this are the gallops. The gallops at Killeens are much envied, with gentle gradients to build stamina and strength. These are reached via private tree lined lanes, running past the lush pastures and comprise:

– main mile and half grass gallop
– straight all weather /fibre sand gallop of 7 furlongs
– straight 7 furlong grass gallop
– wide straight 7 furlong grass gallop
– up hill 5 furlong grass gallop with training fences
– 7 furlong all weather / fibre sand circular gallop
– 3 furlong straight all weather gallop leading to circular gallop.

Killeens is part of Irish horse racing history. It has all the ingredients for a very illustrious next chapter.

Location
County Tipperary is in the part of Ireland known as the Golden Vale. The name comes from the exceptionally good land and lush pastures, which combine to support the making of remarkable racehorses. The Golden Vale is also known for its excellent farms and dairy produce. Killeens itself is central to some of Ireland’s best horse country, so much so that the nearby village is named Horse and Jockey.

Local racing yards and stud farms include the celebrated Coolmore and Ballydoyle. The Fethard Equine Hospital is close by, and access to the motorway network is just ten minutes away, although this in no way impacts the tranquillity of Killeens.

The nearby town of Cashel has had significant investment, and the Cashel Palace Hotel is now a landmark destination, with a Michelin Star to its name. Next door, Mikey Ryan’s pub is a more casual spot for relaxing. There are excellent schools in the area. Another significant development is taking place in nearby Abbeyleix, with renowned chef Cúán Greene’s destination restaurant Ómós opening at the fully restored Millbrook House in 2026.

Distances
– 10 km / 10 minutes to Horse and Jockey
– 10 minutes to M8 with motorway connections to Dublin and Cork
– 11 km / 10 minutes to Coolmore Stud
– 23 km / 20 minutes to Cashel Palace Hotel
– 31 km / 25 minutes to Ballydoyle
– 40 km / 45 minutes to Kilkenny City
– 1.5 hours to Shannon Airport
– 2 hours to Dublin and Dublin Airport
All distances/times are approximate.

Services
– mains electricity
– group shared water scheme
– oil fired central hearing
– septic tank
– fibre broadband

BER Details
Exempt