1 week Ago By BreakingNews.ie
Founder and MD of New York-based construction group Highline Group LLC, Mark Dobbin, is to invest €10 million in a redeveloped stud farm in Co Kildare. Mr Dobbin and his wife, Kerry native, Sonja Dobbin have recently lodged plans with Kildare Co Council through their Highline Stud Farm Ltd for the redevelopment of Friarstown Stables at Friarstown, Kildare. Advertisement The redevelopment is to include two new equine barns that will provide for 24 stable units in each, staff accommodation and a farm manager’s house along with other elements.
A business plan lodged with the application states that the owners have paid out €3.5 million for the 110 acre Friarstown Stables farm and intend to spend another €7.5 million to €8 million “to develop the farm into a high class stud facility”.
The plan states: “In summary, Mark Dobbin will have invested a total of up to €10 million in the stud farm, its development and related equine operations by the time the Stud is completed.” The plan states that: “Additional investment is likely to follow if the stud achieves its near term objectives.” Advertisement The business plan states that the Highline Group is headquartered in Manhattan, works in New York’s luxury residential market and records average annual revenues of $100 million employing over 200 people.
It states that native of Co Down, Mr Dobbin “is a passionate racecourse owner and breeder” and that Friarstown Stables “is a natural fit for his future plans in Irish racing”. The document states that the Dobbins “currently have horses stabled in Malton (UK), Kentucky (USA), Kildare and Tipperary and their aim under this application is to consolidate their business in one operation at Friarstown Stables, Co Kildare”. The business plan states that “the primary source of income for the business will be through the breeding, raising and sale of high quality bloodstock on behalf of its clients”.
Advertisement The document states that Mr Dobbin has enlisted Gaelic Bloodstock to assist in identifying and sourcing top quality fillies that will hopefully become elite broodmares in time. Gaelic Bloodstock has purchased mares for Mr Dobbin since 2010 including the Classic Irish Oaks third, Cairde Go Deo and Mr Dobbin has fillies with three of Ireland’s top trainers, Joseph O’Brien, Johnny Murtagh and Ger Lyons “and has ambitious plans to invest in and support Irish racing”. Ireland Woman found guilty of being get-away driver for Br.
.. Read More The business plan states that since 2010 Mark Dobbin has been a successful racecourse owner and his recent years his string of horses in training has increased to 20.
It states that the Dobbin green and white colours have been carried to success at racetracks in Ireland, France, the UK and the US. It states that “while Mark has been focused on racing horses at the highest level, the plan for a sustainable breeding project has also been put in place in recent years”. A decision is due on the planning application next month.
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