Equestrian ranch is a Simi mega-spread

Don’t be misled by the name. Hummingbird Nest Ranch, the Simi Valley equestrian estate of Metro Networks founder David I. Saperstein, is one ranch that is definitely not for the birds.

Saperstein and his then-wife, Suzanne, bought the 123-acre property in the 1990s, then remodeled and rebuilt the buildings, including the horse facilities. In addition to serving as a residence, the functioning ranch was used by the Sapersteins for riding competitions until they were divorced this year.

Although she is a skilled rider, he wound up with this property, one of the largest privately owned ranches in the area. She got Fleur-de-Lys, a Holmby Hills home that looks like a palace and is listed at $125 million.

About the main house: It is a 14,400-square-foot, Mission Revival-style home built in 2004 and designed by Richard Robertson. The house has five bedrooms plus attached guest quarters, an office, a cabana and a gazebo. The three-level house has thick stucco walls, copper gutters and a Spanish-style roof. Inside, there are paver tile floors, decorative tile work around the windows and wood beamed ceilings.

Asking price: $75 million

Size: The ranch is on 123 acres about 40 miles northwest of L.A. and is surrounded by thousands of acres of parkland.

Features: The ranch has six detached guesthouses -- one with a pool -- which range in size from 800 to 3,000 square feet. The largest was the original brick ranch house. There are 12 detached factory-built, 1,300-square-foot homes for staff and a 20,000-square-foot barn with 37 heated stalls.

Where: Simi Valley, in the Santa Susana foothills, north of the 118 Freeway.

Listing agents: Drew Mandile and Brooke Knapp of Sotheby’s International Realty, Beverly Hills, (310) 786-1803.

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To submit a candidate, send color photos with captions on a CD and a description of the house to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate Section, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., CA 90012.