Family of Late Ryanair Co-Founder Lists 951-Acre Kentucky Horse Farm for $57.5 Million
Family of Late Ryanair Co-Founder Lists 951-Acre Kentucky Horse Farm for $57.5 Million
Colson ThayerThu, August 13, 2026 at 9:17 PM UTC
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Castleton Farm in KentuckyCredit: James Weatherholt with Pending Media -
Castleton Farm, established in 1793, features a 13,500-square-foot Greek Revival mansion and 16 barns with 268 stalls
The property has produced champion Thoroughbreds and includes unique landmarks like a covered bridge and equine cemetery
Ryanair co-founder Tony Ryan’s family renovated the estate after purchasing it in 2001 for $14 million
One of Kentucky’s most historic horse farms, with connections to the late co-founder of Ryanair, is heading to auction this fall with a listing price of $57.5 million.
The 951-acre property, better known as Castleton Farm, dates back to 1793 when future U.S. senator John Breckinridge purchased land outside Lexington. He handed the property down to his daughter, whose husband David Castleman built the 1840s Greek Revival mansion that still stands on the property today. At the time, the estate also adopted the name honoring Castleman’s family.
The main residence at Castleton FarmCredit: James Weatherholt with Pending Media
Under the ownership of Wall Street financier James Keene, the property turned into a horse farm in the 1890s. It quickly rose to prominence as a Thoroughbred nursery, producing racing champions like Domino, Sysonby and Ben Brush. The property later expanded to include both Standardbred and American Saddlebred horses in 1945 while automotive pioneer John Dodge’s daughter Frances Dodge Johnson operated the facility.
Inside the main residence of Castleton FarmCredit: James Weatherholt with Pending Media
Irish businessman and Ryanair co-founder Tony Ryan purchased the property in 2001 for $14 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. His family carried out extensive renovations to the estate, including new barn roofs and other improvements.
Inside the main residence of Castleton FarmCredit: James Weatherholt with Pending Media
When Tony died in 2007, the ownership of Castleton Farm transferred to his son, Shane Ryan. He has since operated the property as a horse-breeding farm. However, he is now looking to sell the property because he is spending more time in Europe and his kids are not as interested in horses, listing agent Ken Donworth of Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty told the Journal.
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A bedroom inside the main residence of Castleton FarmCredit: James Weatherholt with Pending Media
“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.”
One of the barns at Castleton FarmCredit: James Weatherholt with Pending Media
Today, the property includes 16 barns with a combined total of 268 stalls. There are 10 homes, including several managers’ houses. The main residence, the Greek Revival mansion, spans 13,500 square feet and features ornate millwork and moldings.
The round stone tower at Castleton FarmCredit: James Weatherholt with Pending Media
Throughout the rolling pastures, there’s also an abundance of architectural landmarks like a round stone tower, ironwork gates, tree-lined drives, a covered bridge and even a rare equine cemetery.
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Keeneland, the world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house, announced Castleton Farm would be offered as the final lot of the third Keeneland Championship Sale on Oct. 28 as part of a partnership with Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty.
on People
Source: “AOL Money”
