Oprah Winfrey: What’s media mogul’s plan for $29 million equestrian farm?

By Sheena McKenzie, CNN
Updated 12:53 PM EST, Wed February 10, 2016
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has paid $28.8 million for Seamair Farm, an equestrian estate in Montecito, Santa Barbara, California.
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has paid $28.8 million for Seamair Farm, an equestrian estate in Montecito, Santa Barbara, California.
Courtesy Sage Auctions/Jim Bartsch
The main house was designed by architect Cliff May, known for his "California Ranch House," which typically features a long, low roof. Stretching over 5,000 square feet, Winfrey's new house features four bedrooms, four fireplaces, and overlooks a pool.
The main house was designed by architect Cliff May, known for his "California Ranch House," which typically features a long, low roof. Stretching over 5,000 square feet, Winfrey's new house features four bedrooms, four fireplaces, and overlooks a pool.
Courtesy Sage Auctions.
This drone aerial view shows the equestrian estate, including riding facilities, barn, and main residence, spread before the Santa Ynez Mountains.
This drone aerial view shows the equestrian estate, including riding facilities, barn, and main residence, spread before the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Courtesy Sage Auctions
Seamair Farm, pictured with Google Earth. Huge brown paddocks sprawl across the bottom of the image, while an avocado grove is outlined on the right.
Seamair Farm, pictured with Google Earth. Huge brown paddocks sprawl across the bottom of the image, while an avocado grove is outlined on the right.
Courtesy Google Earth/Sage Auctions
The horse barn with trophy room is larger than many people's own homes.
The horse barn with trophy room is larger than many people's own homes.
Courtesy Sage Auctions
A covered round pen, also for horses, pictured on the property.
A covered round pen, also for horses, pictured on the property.
Courtesy Sage Auctions.
The 23-acre estate includes a fish pond ...
The 23-acre estate includes a fish pond ...
Courtesy Sage Auctions
... And an avocado grove.
... And an avocado grove.
Courtesy Sage Auctions
The main house's decking overlooks paddocks.
The main house's decking overlooks paddocks.
Courtesy Sage Auctions
This was the first time in almost 70 years that the estate has gone on the market.
This was the first time in almost 70 years that the estate has gone on the market.
Courtesy Sage Auctions
Seamair was previously owned by John Charles Pritzlaff Jr. and Mary Dell Olin Pritzlaff, of the chemical giant Olin Corporation, who brought the property in 1977. Mary's love of horses had a lasting impact on the estate.
Seamair was previously owned by John Charles Pritzlaff Jr. and Mary Dell Olin Pritzlaff, of the chemical giant Olin Corporation, who brought the property in 1977. Mary's love of horses had a lasting impact on the estate.
Courtesy Sage Auctions
What's Oprah Winfrey's grand plan for $29M equestrian farm?

Story highlights

Oprah Winfrey buys $29 million horse farm ... without the horses

Picturesque equestrian estate includes fruit orchards, pool

CNN  — 

Oprah Winfrey has paid almost $30 million for a sprawling equestrian estate on the California coast. But if the media mogul wants to add horses to her multimillion-dollar purchase, she’ll have to buy them herself.

The 23-acre farm in Montecito, Santa Barbara, comes complete with all the facilities you’d expect of a deluxe equestrian ranch – covered stalls, spacious pens, paddocks, riding and exercise areas.

However the $28.8 million property, which has views of both the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, does not appear to come with any actual horses.

So just what does the 62-year-old Winfrey – the famous talk show host, Oscar-nominated actress, and entertainment entrepreneur worth an estimated $3 billion – have in mind for this luxurious ranch?

Seamair Farm features covered stalls -- but does not come with horses.
Seamair Farm features covered stalls -- but does not come with horses.
Courtesy Sage Auctions

Marty Rogers, of Sage Auctions which managed the sale, said the queen of daytime TV had personally visited the site numerous times before making her winning auction bid.

“Obviously, she is a very smart buyer and does have an amazing vision for this property,” Rogers said.

“She had a number of experts inspect different aspects of the property and paid extensive due diligence to the property package we provided.”

The main house was designed by architect Cliff May, whose signature “California Ranch House” usually featured a long, low roof.

Spread over 5,000 square feet, the house boasts four bedrooms, four fireplaces, and overlooks a pool.

Historic horse ranch

This is the first time in almost four decades that Seamair Farm has gone on the market. Previous owners John Charles Pritzlaff Jr. and Mary Dell Olin Pritzlaff, of the American chemical giant Olin Corporation, bought the property in 1977.

Mary Dell raised and trained champion hackney ponies on the farm, and oversaw the renovation of equestrian facilities. She died in July last year, aged 85, reportedly at her home in Santa Barbara.

Meanwhile, husband John Charles, a former U.S. ambassador to Malta – with “encyclopedic gardening knowledge and skills,” according to Rogers – was responsible for the property’s thriving fruit orchards.

A large avocado grove is also sure to appeal to Winfrey’s green thumb.

This is the latest property purchase for Winfrey, who reportedly bought a $14 million ski chalet in Colorado late last year.

President of media and entertainment company Harpo Productions, Winfrey declined to comment when contacted by CNN.

Read: The $725m ranch bigger than New York and Los Angeles combined

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