Distinguished English Turfman Dies: Lord Michelham Immensely Wealthy, but Not Markedly Successful in His Racing, Daily Racing Form, 1919-03-09

article


view raw text

DISTINGUISHED ENGLISH TURFMAN DIES Lord Michelham Immensely Wealthy, hut Not Markedly Successful in His Racing. Lord Michelham died at his London residence early in the month of February. He was one of Englands leading men and active in many lines of usefulness. Ho gave the aviator Captain Leeds ,000 for destroying an enemy airship at Cuffley. and recently in one subscription took ,750,000 of tlie war loan. He was a liberal patron of fine arts and gave large sums for famous pictures. He was also a turfman, ami of his career in that respect Horse and Hound said after his death: "Lord Michelham was in his sixty-ninth year and an immensely rich man. In 1905 he made two steps in the peerage, which had never before been accomplished at short intervals, being made a baronet in July, and raised to the rank of a baron the following December. This was the year, too, that he registered his racing colors, orange, sapphire blue sleeves and cap, white collar and cuffs. Most of the horses he owned were trained by Batho at Wingrave House, Alfriston; but the best one to carry his jacket was prepare.i at another Sussex establishment viz., O. S. Davies place at Michel Grove, this being William tlie Fourth. Bred by Sir John Robinson at the successful Worksop Manor Stud, and foaled on January 18, 1900, this big chestnut son of William the Third Lady Sevington was purchased as a yearling at Doncaster for 1,500 guineas. He ran four times without distinction as a two-year-old, but did well during the winter, and was quietly much fancied for the Derby, which produced an intensely exciting finish. His majestys Minora Herbert Jones resisting by a short head the challenge of Mr. Raphaels Louvlers George Stern, which In turn was a half length ahead of Lord Michelhams William the Fourth William Iliggs, witli Lord Carnarvons Vnlens Frank Wootton hopelessly bunched m on the rails the mania for which caused this fine jockey to lose many a race, including, I shall always think, this one close up fourth. SOLD TO HUNGARIAN NOBLEMAN. "Minora was, as most people know, leased to King Edward for his racing career, so Colonel Hall Walker got half the stakes without claiming the honor of owning a Derby winner, although he bred the son of Cyllene. Having picked up tlie Ascot Derby, wortli Ai 1.475 from three moderate rivals, 10 to 1 being laid on the colt, which carried six pounds overweight for- Bernard Dillon to ride him, tlie same jockey was also on the chestnut for the Grand Prix de Paris, run ten days later. Although greatly fancied, however, William the Fourth could not act in tlie awful going that day at Lpngchnmps. so only finished fourth. Baron Maurice de Rothschilds Verdun Barat readily capturing this rich prize, wortli 14.071. The colt went wrong while being prepared for tlie St. Leger, but the next year William the Fourth, 133 pounds 15. Dillon, was only beaten a head by A. W. Coxs Bayardo, 135 pounds, for the Chester Vase, wherein Danny Maher got awfully messed about on the winner, upon which odds of 5 to 1 were laid; so much so. in fact, that Bayardo had to display a marvelous burst of speed to win at all. which he ought to have done easily. This lie showed by lienting Lord Michelhams colt by a .hundred yards in the Gold Cup at Ascot, which ended the chestnuts career. At tlie December sales Count Szapary purchased him for 5,000 guineas, and he was sent to Hungary. PLUCKY LIEGE A GOOD FILLY. "The next best racer to run for his lordship was one he bred himself. Plucky Liege, a bay daughter of Spearmint Concertina, foaled on April C, 1912. First called Lucky Liege, just befOre the fall of Liege, her name was afterward altered in compliment to the Belgians." After two failures earlier in the season, Batho tried the filly most satisfactorily, and she won four times in succession, securing the Thursday Nursery at Newmarket First October, and tlie Suffolk Nursery at tlie next meeting. These two successes were as Lucky, but the latter had been altered to Plucky ere she carried 12G pounds to victory in the Great Sapling Plate at Sandown, wherein she was made favorite, and defeated by a iiead Volta, 132 pounds. In excuse for Lord Carnarvons brilliant horse here, it should be .stated lie had recently been badly amiss coughing, so Donoghue rode him tenderly. The filly next had an easy task to- pick up the Brownlow Plate at Lincoln, and these successes earned for her owner 1,811; but like many another mare, Plucky Liege trained off, and never won again after her two-year-old days. "Lord Michelham married in 1S9S Miss Aimee Bradshaw of Powderham Castle, and is succeeded by his son, Hermann .Stern, who is Just twenty, and was married recently to Miss Beatrice Capel. The late lord owned, as most people are aware. Strawberry Hill, once the home of Sir Horace Walpole, and had also a delightful residence near Paris. His lordship supplied the money for the quadriga on the top of Constitution Hill Arch, and also gave Selby Abbey to the nation, as well as vast sums in charities, war and" otherwise."


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1919030901/drf1919030901_2_2
Local Identifier: drf1919030901_2_2
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800