Ryanair co-founder Tony Ryan bought the historic 951-acre Castleton Farm in Kentucky for $14 million in 2001. More than two decades later, his family has put the sprawling horse-breeding estate on the market for $57.5 million, offering a rare look at one of the United States’ most storied equestrian properties.
Located outside Lexington, the estate dates back to 1793 and features a historic Greek Revival mansion, 16 barns with 268 stalls, 10 homes, rolling pastures, a covered bridge, ornate gates, a stone tower and a rare equine cemetery.
Ryan, the Irish businessman who co-founded Ryanair, purchased Castleton Farm after the property had already established itself as an important name in American horse racing. Following the acquisition, Ryan and his family invested in extensive renovations, including replacing barn roofs and making other improvements.
After Ryan died in 2007, ownership passed to his son Shane Ryan, who continued to operate the estate as a horse-breeding farm. Shane is now looking for a buyer as he spends more time in Europe and his children have shown less interest in the family’s horse business.
The property is scheduled to be auctioned as the final lot of the third Keeneland Championship Sale on October 28.
Castleton Farm dates back to 1793
The history of Castleton Farm stretches back more than two centuries.
In 1793, future US Senator John Breckinridge purchased land outside Lexington. The property was eventually inherited by his daughter, whose husband, David Castleman, built the Greek Revival mansion in the 1840s.
The estate later took the Castleton name in honour of the Castleman family.
In the 1890s, Wall Street financier James Keene transformed the property into a Thoroughbred breeding operation, establishing its reputation as a major horse farm.
The farm produced famous racehorses
Castleton Farm went on to become a leading Thoroughbred nursery and was associated with some of the most celebrated names in American racing.
Among the notable horses bred at the property were Domino, Sysonby and Ben Brush.
In 1945, the estate expanded its equestrian operations to include Standardbred and American Saddlebred horses. Frances Dodge Johnson, the daughter of automotive pioneer John Dodge, operated the facility during this period.
Over the years, the farm grew into a large-scale equestrian property while retaining its historic buildings and landscape.
Tony Ryan bought the estate for $14 million
Tony Ryan purchased Castleton Farm for $14 million in 2001, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The Irish entrepreneur was best known for co-founding Ryanair and played a significant role in transforming the airline into one of Europe’s major low-cost carriers.
At Castleton, Ryan continued the property’s equestrian legacy and invested in improvements across the estate.
His family undertook extensive renovation work, including replacing barn roofs and carrying out other upgrades.
Ryan died in 2007, after which his son Shane Ryan took over ownership.
Why is Tony Ryan’s family selling Castleton Farm?
Shane Ryan continued operating Castleton as a horse-breeding farm for years but is now preparing to hand the property over to a new owner.
Listing agent Ken Donworth of Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty told The Wall Street Journal that Shane is spending more time in Europe and that his children are not as interested in horses.
Shane described the family’s role as stewards rather than permanent owners.
“We have been the sixth stewards of this historic farm,” Shane said in a press release shared with PEOPLE. “So there has to be a magnificent seventh out there.”
What does the $57.5 million property include?
The Castleton estate spans 951 acres and includes a large collection of residential and equestrian facilities.
The property has 16 barns with a combined 268 stalls, allowing it to support a major horse-breeding operation.
It also includes 10 homes, several of which are managers’ residences.
At the centre of the estate is the historic 13,500-square-foot Greek Revival mansion, featuring ornate millwork and detailed mouldings.
The property also has several distinctive architectural and landscape features, including a round stone tower, ironwork gates, tree-lined drives and a covered bridge.
One of its most unusual features is a rare equine cemetery, offering a physical reminder of the generations of horses associated with the property.
From $14 million to $57.5 million
Ryan paid $14 million for Castleton Farm in 2001. The family is now seeking $57.5 million, more than four times the original purchase price.
The increase reflects the property’s land as well as its historic significance, equestrian facilities, residences, architecture and reputation within the Thoroughbred industry.
The estate’s 951 acres, 268 horse stalls and historic mansion make it a distinctive property within Kentucky’s competitive horse-country real estate market.
Keeneland has announced that Castleton Farm will be offered as the final lot of the third Keeneland Championship Sale on October 28.
The auction is being conducted in partnership with Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty.
