Clare Mary Heald (née Harding; 28 August 1895 – 11 March 1973), or as she was to become later when she remarried, Clare Miller, was a well-known horsewoman in her day, and horrified the hierarchy of racing in 1930 by applying for a licence to ride under both Jockey Club (flat) and National Hunt (steeplechase) rules.
She was strongly supported by 'Brab' (Lord Brabazon), the famous airman and racing motorist, and others, and it was her intention one day to win, if she could, both the Derby and the Grand National.
Born Clare Mary Harding, she came from a large family at Old Springs Hall, near Market Drayton in Shropshire.
Her second husband was Lt Cdr John Bryan Peter Duppa-Miller, G.C., one of the twelve naval officers who volunteered to dismantle the magnetic mines which were dropped off by the Germans over London in the autumn of 1940.
Asked what she thought would happen to the punters if women were allowed to ride, she replied 'They lose too much now, backing what they think is the best horse.