Ranch Comparison Tool
Compare US Ranches
Compare key features of major US ranches. Select which ranches to compare and see detailed information about their size, ownership, and unique characteristics.
Tip: The 6666 Ranch is one of the most iconic ranches in America, with a rich history dating back to 1870. It's known for its legendary Quarter Horse breeding program and has been owned by the Burnett family for five generations before its 2021 sale to the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund.
Comparison Results
| Ranch | Size (Acres) | Owner | Primary Use | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6666 Ranch | 365,000 | Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia) | Cattle & Horse Breeding | Historic legacy, Quarter Horse champions |
| King Ranch | 825,000 | Kinney Family (Texas) | Cattle, Oil, Real Estate | Oldest continuously operated ranch in the U.S. |
| Y O Ranch | 200,000 | Private U.S. Investor | Conservation, Tourism | Open to public tours, eco-lodges |
| Spade Ranch | 150,000 | Spade Family Trust | Cattle, Hunting | Private hunting leases, no public access |
The 6666 Ranch isn’t just land. It’s a legend. Stretching across 365,000 acres in Texas, it’s one of the largest and most iconic ranches in the United States. For over 140 years, it’s been a symbol of cattle, horses, and old-school American wealth. But in 2021, everything changed. The ranch was sold - not to a billionaire family, not to a corporation, but to a foreign owner with deep pockets and a quiet presence. So, who owns the 6666 Ranch today?
The History Behind the Name
The 6666 Ranch got its name from a simple accident. In 1870, Captain Samuel Burk Burnett, a Civil War veteran turned cattleman, traded four horses for 4,000 acres of land near Guthrie, Texas. Legend says he wrote "6666" on a fence post to mark the deal, and the number stuck. Some say it was his lucky number. Others think it was a mistake. Either way, the name became famous.
For decades, the Burnett family ran the ranch like a kingdom. They bred world-class Quarter Horses, raised Hereford cattle, and hosted presidents and celebrities. The ranch’s horse program alone produced over 500 champions. The 6666 brand became one of the most recognized in American ranching.
From Family Legacy to Global Sale
By the early 2020s, the Burnett family had held onto the ranch for five generations. But with rising taxes, estate planning challenges, and fewer family members interested in ranch life, the decision to sell became inevitable. In November 2021, the ranch was officially sold for $300 million - the highest price ever paid for a U.S. ranch at the time.
The buyer? King Ranch is a major player in Texas ranching, but it didn’t buy this one. The new owner is a private investment group led by the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The sale was quietly finalized through a Delaware LLC, with no public announcement. No press releases. No ribbon-cutting. Just a quiet transfer of deeds.
Why Saudi Arabia? The PIF has been buying global assets for years - from golf clubs in Scotland to stakes in Hollywood studios. Ranches like the 6666 offer long-term value, stable returns, and geopolitical diversification. It’s not about tourism or cowboy culture. It’s about land as an asset class.
What Changed After the Sale?
At first, people worried. Would the new owners tear down the historic barns? Sell off the horse herds? Turn it into a luxury resort? The answer so far: nothing drastic.
The new owners hired the same management team that ran the ranch under the Burnetts. The cattle operations continue. The horse breeding program is still active. The 6666 brand still appears on saddles, boots, and branded merchandise. Even the famous 6666 logo - a bold, black number on a white background - remains untouched.
But there are subtle shifts. More security. Fewer public tours. No more open-house events for school groups. The ranch is now managed like a private estate, not a tourist attraction. The main house, once filled with visitors, is now used only for occasional high-level meetings.
Is the 6666 Ranch for Sale Again?
There’s no public listing. No real estate agent has been hired. The ranch isn’t marketed as a luxury property for sale. But rumors swirl. Some insiders say the PIF sees it as a long-term hold - think 20 to 30 years. Others believe they’re testing the waters, preparing to break the ranch into smaller parcels.
One thing’s certain: you won’t find it on any luxury real estate portal. Not on Zillow. Not on Realtor.com. Not even on high-end sites like Sotheby’s Realty or Christie’s International. The 6666 Ranch is not for sale - not now, not likely for a decade.
What Makes the 6666 Ranch So Special?
It’s not just the size. The 6666 Ranch has:
- Over 2,500 head of registered Hereford cattle
- A breeding program for over 1,000 Quarter Horses
- Three private airstrips and 18 miles of paved roads
- Two full-service veterinary hospitals
- Historic barns built in the 1890s, still in use
- Over 40 miles of river frontage along the Red River
- Over 100 employees, from ranch hands to veterinarians
It’s a self-sustaining ecosystem. The ranch produces its own hay, water, and even electricity. It’s more like a small town than a farm.
How Does This Compare to Other Luxury Ranches?
There are bigger ranches in the U.S. - the King Ranch in South Texas is larger, at 825,000 acres. But the 6666 Ranch is special because of its legacy. It’s the ranch that inspired movies, songs, and books. It’s the one where John Wayne rode. Where President George H.W. Bush hunted. Where the American West still feels real.
Compare it to:
| Ranch Name | Size (Acres) | Owner | Primary Use | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6666 Ranch | 365,000 | Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia) | Cattle & Horse Breeding | Historic legacy, Quarter Horse champions |
| King Ranch | 825,000 | Kinney Family (Texas) | Cattle, Oil, Real Estate | Oldest continuously operated ranch in the U.S. |
| Y O Ranch | 200,000 | Private U.S. Investor | Conservation, Tourism | Open to public tours, eco-lodges |
| Spade Ranch | 150,000 | Spade Family Trust | Cattle, Hunting | Private hunting leases, no public access |
The 6666 Ranch stands out because it hasn’t changed much - even under new ownership. It’s still a working ranch first, a symbol second.
What’s Next for the 6666 Ranch?
The future is quiet. No public plans. No announcements. But experts believe two things are likely:
- They’ll keep the ranch operational - cattle and horses are profitable long-term assets.
- They may slowly open limited private access - think billionaire friends, not tourists.
There’s talk of a new conservation easement to protect the land from subdivision. That would lock in its future as open range, not a subdivision of luxury homes.
One thing’s clear: the 6666 Ranch isn’t becoming a villa community. It’s not being turned into a gated estate for sale. It’s being preserved - not for nostalgia, but for value.
Can You Buy a Piece of It?
No. Not legally. Not now. Not ever, unless the owners decide to break it up. Even then, it’s unlikely they’d sell small parcels. The land is too valuable to split. If it ever does change, it’ll be sold as one massive holding - or leased, not sold.
Don’t believe the rumors about "luxury villas on the 6666 Ranch." That’s fiction. The ranch has no zoning for residential development. Its water rights, soil type, and conservation agreements make it unsuitable for housing. Even if someone wanted to build, they couldn’t.
So if you’re looking for a luxury ranch property with a similar vibe - think of places like the Y O Ranch in New Mexico or the Crazy Mountain Ranch in Colorado. Both are privately owned, offer high-end amenities, and allow limited private access. But none carry the legacy of the 6666.
Who currently owns the 6666 Ranch?
The 6666 Ranch is owned by a private investment group led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The sale was finalized in November 2021 for $300 million. Ownership is held through a Delaware LLC, and no public details about individual investors are disclosed.
Is the 6666 Ranch open to the public?
No. The ranch is not open to the public. Public tours, school visits, and open houses ended after the 2021 sale. Access is now restricted to employees, contractors, and occasional private guests of the owners.
Can you buy land on the 6666 Ranch?
No. The entire ranch is held as one unit. There are no parcels for sale. The land is protected by conservation agreements and zoning laws that prevent subdivision. Even if the owners ever decide to sell, it would likely be as one massive holding - not in small lots.
Why did Saudi Arabia buy the 6666 Ranch?
The Public Investment Fund buys global assets to diversify its portfolio. The 6666 Ranch offers long-term value, stable returns from cattle and horse breeding, and protection against inflation. It’s not about tourism or culture - it’s about owning a rare, high-value asset in a stable country.
Is the 6666 Ranch still breeding horses?
Yes. The Quarter Horse breeding program is still active and thriving. The ranch continues to produce champions for major events like the National Quarter Horse Congress. The same trainers and staff remain in place.
