Ryanair Co-Founder’s Family Lists Kentucky Horse Farm for $57.5 Million with Sotheby’s
2469 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY
$57,500,000
951.68 Acres
Few properties in the Bluegrass carry the pedigree, history, and scale of Castleton Farm. Established in 1793, this remarkable 951-acre estate has been shaped by generations of Kentucky horsemen and stands among the region’s most storied Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and Saddlebred breeding operations.
At the heart of the property is an 1840 Greek Revival-style mansion spanning 13,500 square feet, with seven bedrooms and a distinguished architectural presence. The estate also features 16 barns with a combined 268 stalls, ranging from intimate four-stall facilities to a substantial 30-stall barn. Ten residences across the property, including several managers’ homes, provide accommodations for staff and contribute to the farm’s fully operational character.
Castleton’s legacy dates to its founding by John Breckinridge in 1793. The farm rose to prominence in the late 19th century, when Kentucky Derby winner Ben Brush stood at stud there in 1896. Over the course of more than two centuries, Castleton became known for breeding and standing champions across three breeds, establishing a lasting place in Kentucky’s equestrian history.
The property’s landscape is defined by limestone pastures, miles of historic dry-stone fencing, and the rolling terrain characteristic of the Bluegrass. Castleton has also made its way onto the silver screen, serving as a filming location for Disney’s 2005 film Dreamer.
The farm is owned by the family of Tony Ryan, the Irish entrepreneur and co-founder of Ryanair, who acquired Castleton for $14 million in 2001. His son, Shane Ryan, the current owner, has described his family as the sixth stewards of the historic estate.
Now, after 25 years, Castleton is being offered to a new steward. The property will be presented as the final lot of the Keeneland Championship Sale, a prestigious annual auction held in Lexington on the Wednesday before the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The invitation-only sale brings together a curated selection of Thoroughbred racing and breeding opportunities, with buyers from around the world able to participate through live online bidding.
“Castleton is a rare opportunity to own one of the Bluegrass’ most distinctive farms – suited equally to Thoroughbred, Standardbred or show horse ownership, and steeped in more than two centuries of history,” said Ken Donworth of Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty. “Few properties offer this combination of history, architecture and legacy.”
Donworth is representing the property with Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty, while Keeneland’s auction team will conduct the sale.
For more than two centuries, Castleton has been defined by its land, its horses, and the generations who have cared for it. Its upcoming sale marks a rare opportunity to become the next steward of one of Kentucky’s most significant equestrian estates.
View this listing here: https://www.sothebysrealty.com/bluegrasssir/eng/sales/detail/792-l-1345-wcgpr6/2469-iron-works-pike-historic-mt-horeb-pike-lexington-ky-40511
