John Magnier amends claim in case against Barne Estate owner

John Magnier is set to allege that the owners of Barne Estate breached his exclusivity agreement over the property by entertaining bids from Maurice Regan, the Business Post understands.

The Coolmore horse breeding magnate is expected to include a new claim that by considering offers made by Regan, a Kerry-born US-based businessman, the owners had hurt his interests and caused him damage.

If his amended claim is accepted by the court, it will mark a new frontier in the ongoing and fiercely contested lawsuit, which has so far featured allegations of brown envelopes containing €50,000 in cash, a heated bidding war, and a deal sealed with a handshake.