Lord George lost heavily by backing horses for the St. Leger of 1826;
the amount was shown to be £30,000, which his mother and sister (Lady
Charlotte) helped him to meet. The old Duke, his father, was too
cautious to bet, and in order to induce his son to settle down to
country pursuits he bought him an estate at Muirkirk, Ayrshire; but the
life of a farmer did not suit Lord George for long and he was soon
exploiting in horse-racing again, so that in 1833 he was a heavy loser
at Goodwood.

He formed studs at Doncaster, Goodwood and Danebury, and at various
times his horses were run in the name of Mr. John Bowe, a publican, Mr.
King, the Duke of Richmond, and John Day.

Lord George and his cousin, Mr. Charles Greville, were great friends
and partners in racing affairs for a time; but both were self-willed and
quarrelled, never to heal up their differences.

In the intricacies of their partnership in horses Lord George became the
owner of a mare called Preserve, who gained a great reputation about the
year 1834.

At the Newmarket meeting there was an attempt to wear down her spirit by
false starts, upon which Lord George visited his anger upon his cousin,
whom he held responsible.

Years afterwards an attempt was made by Colonel Anson to bring about a
reconciliation; but Lord George said he would not have anything to do
with "the fellow."

A great stroke was made in 1836 when Lord George won the St. Leger with