Ocala Real Estate: Exploring The ‘Horse Capital of the World’

It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that Ocala, Florida, arrived on the international equestrian scene as a premier locale to train and raise horses.

The town, known as the “horse capital of the world,” was formally established almost 100 years prior in 1849, largely as a farming and ranching area. But in the 1940s and 50s, trainers and businesspeople found that the area’s limestone-rich soil was perfect for horse breeding because it has high levels of magnesium and calcium. Natural sources of these minerals are known to improve horse health, especially in strengthening their teeth, bones and hooves. In 1956, the first Florida-bred horse won the Kentucky Derby, solidifying its reputation.

Ocala sits in a largely rural area about an 80-minute drive from Orlando, 90 minutes from Tampa and 50 minutes from Gainesville.

While equestrian-related needs still dominate the local market, Tasha Osbourne, broker associate at Golden Ocala Real Estate, says she’s noticed a subtle influx of luxury buyers looking for a few acres to spread out, coming from the coastal areas of the state where hurricane flooding poses a bigger risk and from larger urban areas where pricing remains high.

“Buyers coming from the Hamptons or other areas are building newer homes around equestrian living and are surprised at the value here,” she confirms.

Homes in the luxury market start at an average of $2 million, according to Osbourne. At that price point, buyers can get decent acreage with a large home - somewhere in the range of 5 to 15 acres.

These homes tend to have 4,000 to 7,000 square feet of living space along with facilities for farming and horses. Many of these homes are older with more of the upkeep focused on the extra structures rather than the main home’s design. However, Osbourne noted that new construction is popping up to appease buyers who want something turnkey.

"Unlike coastal luxury hubs, Ocala offers value-driven luxury - high-end homes set amid rolling countryside with Florida lifestyle benefits but without the overheated price pressures seen in South Florida or major metros,” Osbourne adds.

There are also a handful of gated, private communities, such as the 207-lot Golden Ocala neighbourhood, which has a variety of sport and lifestyle amenities with the addition of being adjacent to the World Equestrian Centre. Other communities include Heath Brook Hills and Bellechase.

Explore the latest trends and features in Abode2, the leading luxury property magazine.