This four-bedroom stud farm, with various outbuildings, on 60 acres of horse-friendly limestone, has housed a few winners in its 50-year history, writes Kate McMorrow

A Co Kildare stud farm on 60 acres, to be auctioned by Jordan Town & Country Estate Agents on the 8th October, will captivate anyone thinking of buying into an established equestrian business.

Hollyhill Stud is in Brannockstown, a sylvan area of walled estates and stud farms along the River Liffey, two miles from Kilcullen and about five miles from Naas. The AMV of €4 million could be exceeded on the day.

Hollyhill has been associated with international show jumping and eventing for decades. Shear L'Eau, who was raised at Hollyhill, won a Gold Medal for the Three-Day Event in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The house and 60 acres adjoins Newbury Stud and is across the river from HH Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud. Sallymount, New Abbey and Ardenode Studs are close neighbours.

The Italian owners of Hollyhill are moving back to their home country, having lived here for over 30 years.

The main residence was built in the 1950s from granite rescued from a period house in Co Wicklow and looks as if it has been there for centuries. While not large by stud-farm standards at 232sq m (2,500 sq ft), the grounds and setting are magnificent and there is a three-bed groom's cottage and 20 loose boxes with the property.

There is also a stud office, two foaling boxes, an all-weather ring, indoor school and nine railed paddocks with shelter and water.

The house is in good order and cosily decorated, with parquet floors and marble and stone fireplaces. There are two sittingrooms - one tartan-floored and festooned with show-jumping awards - a formal diningroom and an oak kitchen with island unit.

Two of the four bedrooms have en suite bathrooms and wardrobes are plentiful.

The groom's house has three bedrooms and oil heating. There is also a pretty glass orchid house with power and water laid on and a lofted garage.

Wonderfully private, the gardens are sheltered by mature trees and a wisteria rambles over the portico entrance.

The 60-acre lands come with extensive river frontages and are classified under the Elton series in the Soils of Kildare and derived mainly from limestone, which is considered ideal for bloodstock.