[1] He moved to Cape Colony in the 1880s where he made his fortune in connection with diamonds, later becoming a financier with interests in mining, brewing and railways.

Early in his business career he supported the Uitlanders against Paul Kruger's government, and was a prominent member of the Reform Committee.

His dislike of his daughter Doris' choice of spouse continued until she divorced after four years, at which point he resumed normal relations.

His daughter Eileen became the first woman jockey to win an open race when she rode Hogier to victory in the Town Plate at Newmarket.

Another illustration of his generosity was exhibited when he gave Sol Joel Park close to his estate was given to the Corporation of Reading in 1927.

[3] In 1922 he purchased the racing establishment at Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket, after the death of its then owner, Sir Ernest Cassel.

The team was known as S. B. Joel's XI and included leading players Ewart Astill, George Geary, Percy Holmes, Alec Kennedy, Charlie Parker, Jack Russell, Lionel Tennyson and Ernest Tyldesley.

Moulton Paddocks passed into the ownership of Joel's son Dudley, but the house fell into disrepair following his death.