De Gaulle Fleurance advises FRESNAY AGRICOLE SAS on the sale of the Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard in Normandy
De Gaulle Fleurance advised FRESNAY AGRICOLE SAS on the sale of the Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard, finalized on December 26, 2024 for 26 million euros.
The buyer, WATHBA STUD FARM, is owned by Sheikh Mansour of Abu Dhabi, Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates and owner of Manchester City soccer club.
Founded in 1903, the Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard is a historic stud renowned for its thoroughbred breeding in France. Mainly located in the commune of Neuvy-au-Houlme (Orne), it acquired an international reputation under the ownership of Marcel Boussac in 1919, then of Stavros Niarchos and his descendants from 1979 onwards.
An emblematic site, it has been home to numerous champion horses (seven winners of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, several Breeder’s Cup winners, over one hundred and eighty classic successes).
Covering 325 hectares, the property includes an 18th-century château renovated in 2015 (640 m² on four levels), two large vacation homes – “La Haute Côte” (525 m²) and “La Belle Étoile” (235 m²) – as well as 23 houses, farm buildings, 200 stalls, a riding arena and a training track. The heart of the stud farm extends over 240 continuous hectares, including 205 hectares of pasture and 12 hectares of parkland.
In this transaction, FRESNAY AGRICOLE SAS was advised in particular by partner Vincent Schmitt and senior manager Daniel Hatzakortzian, at De Gaulle Fleurance, for the structuring and completion of the transaction, as well as for its tax and legal aspects.
For the other aspects, FRESNAY AGRICOLE SAS was advised by Georgia Kouvela, Dalverny, FTPA Avocats, and D&Associés.
The buyer was advised by Addleshaw Goddard.
“This transaction marks a new stage in the history of this emblematic site. We are proud to have accompanied FRESNAY AGRICOLE SAS in this sale, along with all the other advisors, which is part of a tradition of excellence in livestock farming in Normandy”
