James Octavius Machell

[1] When his army life and racing started to conflict, he resigned his commission[2] and took stables in Kennet near Newmarket, Suffolk with a small string of horses.

Here he employed George Bloss to act as trainer, whilst he retained strategic control and management of the horses and stables.

[4] Machell was aware of the potential for Irish-bred horses and many of his future successes would come from Irish yearlings sent to him by Charles Blake of Heath House Stables, Maryborough (Portlaoise).

Machell was a good athlete when young and during his army days would make wagers on his ability to perform feats of strength and agility.

Some of the great horses he managed were Hermit, Petronel, Belphoebe, Pilgrimage, Seabreeze, Harvester, Kilwarlin and the triple crown winner, Isinglass.

Machell had three of Chaplin's horses - Breadalbane, Broomielaw and Hermit - transferred to Bedford Cottage from William Goater’s yard in Findon, West Sussex.

Hermit was entered for the 1867 Epsom Derby but suffered severe bleeding from the nose during training and it appeared unlikely he would be fit enough to run.

Machell had a good eye for steeplechasers and he became the most successful owner in the history of The Grand National with three winners: Disturbance (1873), Reugny (1874) and Regal (1876).

John Maunsell Richardson had been so "disgusted with the sordid nature" of Machell's manipulation that he withdrew from public riding after his 1874 Grand National win on Reugny.

When his friend and trainer, James Jewitt, died in 1899, he sold the Bedford Cottage stables to Harry McCalmont, wealthy owner of Isinglass.