Oprah Winfrey closes on $28 million California equestrian ranch she bought at auction last year - adjacent to her $50 million Montecito estate

Oprah Winfrey has finalized a $28 million deal to snap up a 23-acre equestrian estate - complete with miniature pony farm - in Montecito, California.

In November, Daily Mail Online exclusively revealed that the 61-year-old talk show queen had outbid swathes of other millionaires to get her hands on Seamair Farm - which sits next to her $50 million mansion.

Having finally sealed the deal, it means she now own 80 acres of property in the competitive and luxurious real estate market of Montecito, according to the LA Times.

The property has four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms - along with a farm that its original owners used to raise ponies for nearly 40 years. 

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Original owner of Seamair Farm Mary Dell Olin Pritzlaff raised champion hackney ponies, gaited horses and long tail ponies

Oprah already owned this lavish $50 million, 42-acre estate that she bought from friends Bob and Marlene Veloz in 2001

Oprah named her real estate complex 'The Promised Land' in honor of MLK Jr. She posted a picture from her home with her boyfriend Stedman Graham on Christmas Day (right) with the caption: 'No HohoHo just a splashing Christmas our house to yours'

Residents in the ritzy seaside community expected this to happen when the estate went up for sealed bid in October.

'Oprah had been after that property for years,' one neighbor tells Daily Mail Online at the time of the auction. 'She had tried to buy it from the owner Mary Dell [Mary Dell Olin Pritzlaff]. 

'She used to drive her golf cart over to Mary's to chat and leave her presents and try to be friendly, but all offers to buy the place were soundly refused.'

However, everything changed when Mary Dell died at the age of 85 on July 18, 2015. Mary's children put Seamair Farm up for sale.

It is 23 acres of basically undeveloped land that sits just south of Oprah's lavish $50 million, 42-acre estate that she bought from friends Bob and Marlene Veloz in 2001 and named 'The Promised Land' in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Seamair Farm is where Mary raised champion hackney ponies, gaited horses and long tail ponies.

It boasts spectacular views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean making it the perfect tranquil place to live.

The main home is 4,750 square feet and was designed by renowned California lifestyle architect Cliff May. Other property features include a pool, open and covered patios and decks, manager’s cottage, horse trainer's house, rambling stable and barn structure.

In October, Sage Auctions began the process of accepting sealed bids from potential buyers for the prestigious property. 

On November 18, the talk show mogul learned she was the highest bidder and entered into the deal that would finally ensure her ownership of Seamair Farm.

'Oprah has been quietly but systematically buying up the properties around her estate. At this point she has only one neighbor to the west, it's just the way she wants it,' says a local realtor. Top circle is $7 million home she bought in 2005. Middle circle is her $50 million estate. Bottom circle is Seamair Farm

Oprah Winfrey was highest bidder in sealed auction for Seamair Farm in Montecito, California. The home and farm sits on 23-plus acres

The 4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom home was designed by renowned California lifestyle architect Cliff May. It's a luxurious 4,750 square feet

A pool sits on the property surrounded by palm trees and other tranquil greenery

In addition to the pool, the estate features open and covered patios and decks, manager’s cottage, horse trainer's house, rambling stable and barn structure

The horse stable was perfect for owner Mary Dell Olin Pritzlaff, who used the property to raise ponies for nearly 40 years

A local realtor told Daily Mail Online the property would go for at least $25 million. Oprah sealed for $28 million

A neighbor told Daily Mail Online, 'This is the third home Oprah has purchased near her $50 million estate. It was only a matter of time until she swooped in on the Seamair Farms property.' 

No one in the area is shocked at the fact that Oprah has bought up her neighbor's property, this marks the third time she has done so since moving to Montecito fifteen years ago.

'Oprah has been quietly but systematically buying up the properties around her estate. At this point she has only one neighbor to the west, it's just the way she wants it.'

Mary Dell Olin Pritzlaff's husband John transformed the property using his gardening knowledge and skills

Auction site reads 'It's got spectacular views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean'

Seamair Farm is made up of 23-plus acres of land with a home and miniature pony farm. Above photo shows the approximate property line that will now be Oprah's. Oprah now owns almost 80 acres of property in the prime Montecito real estate market 

In October of 2004 she purchased the 4,584 square foot home next to her front gate for more than $4.3 million. This home is used for guests, and Oprah's partner Stedman Graham's car can often be seen in the driveway.

In September 2005 she bought a 5.6 acre property with a 3,376 square foot home next to her back entrance for a staggering $7 million.

Oprah has almost 80 acres of property in the prime Montecito real estate market now. Other celebrities in the area include Ellen Degeneres, Rob Lowe, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Kathy Ireland, Don Johnson and Carol Burnett.

As for the deal, the auction house posted on their Facebook account that it was a 'record deal.'

In addition to the four Montecito properties, Oprah also has an apartment in Chicago, as well as homes in New Jersey, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii and Antigua. She has a net worth of $3 billion.