'Yellowstone Ranch' near Beaverdell fetches an astounding $15M at auction

We don't know which richie-rich bought 'Yellowstone North of 49' ranch near Beaverdell today at auction for a cool $15 million.

But, we might, eventually.

The previous owners of the 73,670-acre working ranch deliberately chose CLHBid.com to conduct the two-hour online auction this morning for its expertise and discretion.

Tyler Ruttan of CLHBid also declined to disclose where the successful bidder is from.

While the successful bidder's name nor location wasn't revealed today, it can become public knowledge when the change-of-ownership deed for the property is legally filed.

CLH is a law firm based in Grande Prairie, Alberta and prides itself on giving clients and bidders the secrecy they want and need.

Bidders saw the process of the auction on their computer screen in the privacy of their own home or office.

For confidentially, bidders don't see who else is bidding, but they do see the bid amounts being placed in real time.

The successful buyer's name is never disclosed to anyone except the seller during the closing of the deal.

"We don't disclose bidders' names so they have privacy when they bid," said Ruttan.

"It was an online auction so anyone on the globe who's interested (and has the money) can participate. We're very happy with the results and so is our (unnamed) client. Afterall, the bidding started at $5.9 million and went up quickly in $25,000 increments to $15 million. The successful bidder and they're whole family is very happy to have a legacy property."

In the run up to the auction, CLHBid mentioned potential buyers from Canada, Colorado, California and Texas were among those interested.

The run-up to the auction was an attention-grabber.

The huge working cattle ranch was intentionally renamed 'Yellowstone North of 49' for the auction is a deliberate attempt to cash in on the 'Yellowstone effect'.

That effect is the desire for the opulent ranch lifestyle created by the popular TV show 'Yellowstone' set on the largest ranch in the US in Montana starring Kevin Costner as rancher extraordinaire John Dutton.

In the series, Dutton has said: "If someone had all the money in the world, this is what they'd buy."

CLHBid speculated that John Dutton would say the same about the ranch near Beaverdell if he saw it.

It was touted as the Wild West in the lap of luxury.

Also used was verbiage such as: "Your Wild West fantasy can become a reality on Aug. 14," "Unmatched value along with privilege and exclusivity" and "An idyllic retreat" where you can land your helicopter or drive to in one hour from Kelowna.

The main ranch house is a log-and-stone, 5,100-square-foot, four-bedroom, five-bathroom manor with Wild West decor and swimming pool.

There's also a 2,500-square-foot ranch manager's house that can be a guest house and a 2,100-square-foot log garage with an apartment above it.

There's indoor and outdoor riding arenas, acres upon acres of grazing land, numerous water wells, irrigation system and private lakes.

The successful bidder opted for including the livestock and farm equipment in the sale, so it looks like 'Yellowstone North of 49' will continue to be a working ranch.

However, it's likely the wealthy family that purchased the ranch will likely use it as a holiday home and put a manager in place to continue to operate the cattle and farming aspects.