18. John Magnier

Tycoon doubles pub group stake

£560m

Coolmore Stud Farm

2008: £740m (-£180m)

Irish racing tycoon John Magnier and his business partner JP McManus have been quietly building a stake in troubled pub group Mitchells & Butlers. The duo have been buying shares through their Elpida vehicle since late 2007 and have almost doubled their stake to 17.6% in the recent months. That stake is now worth £210m.

Much of Magnier's wealth stems from horse breeding and property.

He controls the Coolmore racing empire, with studs in Co Tipperary, Kentucky and Australia, but such is the parlous state of racing finances that we cut its value to just £140m.

With McManus and fellow Irish tycoon Dermot Desmond he has a stake in Barchester, a profitable nursing home operation. He and MacManus, plus another partner, Aidan Brooks, have a large property portfolio held in Sloane Capital.

Magnier, 61, also has homes in Spain, Ireland, Barbados and Switzerland. But, in the downturn, we cut his worth this year to £560m.

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Image from Rex Features