Ballymacoll Stud

Ballymacoll Stud
Racing silks of Ballymacoll Stud
Country:	Ireland
County:	Meath
Acreage:	300
Purchased:	1960
Owner:	Family of
Horses (Approx)
Broodmares:	16
Foals:	9
Yearlings:	11
Horses in Training:	21

Coordinates: 53°24′41.96″N 6°31′16.48″W / 53.4116556°N 6.5212444°W / 53.4116556; -6.5212444

Ballymacoll Stud is a Thoroughbred stud farm of 300 acres in County Meath, Ireland. It is located in the townland of Ballymacoll, approximately two miles from the village of Dunboyne and four miles (6 km) from the town of Maynooth. Under its current ownership it has produced 29 individual Group One (G1) winners of 52 Group 1 races since 1960.

Ballymacoll Estate was founded by Henry Hamilton (1760–1844). It remained in Hamilton hands until January 1911, when it was sold to Lord Nugent. Other owners and tenants followed, including Boss Croker, the trainer, the Inchape Family, and the Irish Army (during World War II).

In April 1946, the property was purchased by the Hon. Dorothy Paget, daughter of Lord Queenborough and Pauline (daughter of William C. Whitney). She owned the stud until her death in February 1960 at the age of 54. Despite owning the stud, Dorothy Paget never actually visited the farm herself, but she did from time to time receive detailed reports, illustrated with photographs.

Sir Gordon Richards, had been Dorothy Paget's principal jockey and trainer, right up the time of her death. He was instrumental in persuading the then Mr. Michael Sobell, the industrialist and philanthropist (later Sir Michael Sobell), and his son-in-law, , Managing Director of G.E.C. (later ) to buy the farm in June 1960. The price agreed for the 300-acre (1.2 km²) farm, together with approximately 130 horses was £250,000.