Caroline Beresford, Duchess of Montrose

The Dowager Duchess of Montrose
Caroline Beresford
Born21 August 1818
Died16 November 1894 (aged 76)
Spouse(s)
(m. 1836; died 1874)

et al.
ChildrenDouglas Graham, 5th Duke of Montrose
et al.
Parent(s)John Beresford, 2nd Baron Decies
Charlotte Horsley
RelativesBeresford family (see Baron Decies and Marquess of Waterford)

Caroline Agnes Graham, Duchess of Montrose (née Beresford; 21 August 1818 – 16 November 1894), styled Dowager Duchess of Montrose after 1874, was a notable British racehorse owner, aristocrat, and socialite.

She was described as a "wildly extravagant woman" who "strode across the racing scene",[1] and was popularly known as the "Red Duchess", from both her scarlet racing colours and her habit of dressing from head to foot in that colour at race meetings.[2] It was said of her in one of her obituaries that "few women in England create more stir in all classes of society".[3] She betted heavily, hardly ever missed attending a race meeting where her horses were competing, and associated almost exclusively with followers of the turf.[4]

  1. ^ "Phil on Friday", Mark H. Tomkins, race horse trainer
  2. ^ Obituary, Indianapolis Journal
  3. ^ Obituary, Indianapolis Journal,Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 November 1894, p.5 [1]
  4. ^ Obituary, Indianapolis Journal