Man with major connection to Kilkenny has staggering estimated net worth!

Recent analysis by racing experts claims that Kilkenny stud owner John Malone is amongst the wealthiest in the industry, surpassing some of the most well-known names in racing.

According to an analysis by OLBG, Malone, who owns the renowned Ballylinch Stud near Thomastown, has an estimated net worth of £8.5 billion.

Other publications have Malone's net worth estimated at approximately £5 billion but some, including Forbes, have it at $10 billion (£7.7 billion).

Such discrepancies may result from differences in valuation methods, asset inclusions, or the timing of assessments.

Malone and his wife Leslie purchased Ballylinch Stud in 2014, and under their stewardship, it has become one of Europe’s leading breeding operations.

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The stud has been involved in the success of 19 Group 1 winners, further cementing its status in the racing world.

While rankings of personal wealth can vary depending on methodology and sources, OLBG’s report places Malone at the top of the list.

As well as having a long and proud tradition of standing top-class stallions, Ballylinch Stud is also renowned as a outstanding nursery.

Ballylinch Stud was founded by Major Dermot McCalmont over a century ago to stand the fastest racehorse ever seen – The Tetrarch.

However, the origin of the site can be traced back almost 500 years, standing on land seized from Cistercian monks by the Crown forces of Henry VIII in 1541.

In the mid eighteenth century, the first Earl of Carrick, a member of the Butler family who had taken possession of the adjoining lands one hundred years previously, constructed a beautiful house on the estate by the banks of the River Nore, which he named Mount Juliet after his wife.

He had a bridge built over the River Nore to link the estate to Ballylinch. 

“The White Bridge” still stands today as the demarcation between Ballylinch and Mount Juliet.

Also under the stewardship of John and Leslie Malone are Ballylinch’s sister farms Castlemartin Stud in County Kildare and Bridlewood Farm in Florida.

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