RACEHORSE DISPUTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18955, 4 March 1936, Page 9

RACEHORSE DISPUTE

JUDGMENT FOR EARL DENIAL Ob' PACT LONDON. Jan. 17. The racehorse Vicar's Cross, which is Legistered under National Hunt Utiles, was the subject of an action in the King's Bench Division yesterday, m which the Earl of Ranfurly, of Digby House, Melton Mowbray, was Ihe delendant. The plaintiff was Mr. John Maxwell Lincoln Little, of Whinbrook, King lane. Rouudhay. Leeds, who claimed the balance of the purchase-price of a halfshare in the horse.

Judgment was entered for Lord Ranfurly on the claim, will) costs, and for Lord Ranfnrly on a counterclaim for £52 14s 6d, with costs. Mr. O. O. Slade. for Mr. Little, said (hat the main dispute concerned the terms on which the partnership was made. It was admitted that £SOO was to be paid by the Earl of Ranfurly for his half-share, and Mr. Little's case was that £SO was to be paid down find the balance of £450 when Lord Ranfurly received a large sum due to him from his grandfather's estate. SOLD FOR 200 GUINEAS The Karl of Ranfurly maintained that the arrangement was that he was to pa} £IOO down and the balance was to be retained by Mr. Little from the horses winnings. " The horse was sold For 20t. guineas in August. 1934. Lord Ranfurly contended that he did not authorise the sale, and he counter-claimed damages for conversion. Mr. Little denied the allegation, and credited Lord Ranfurly with ICO guineas in respect of die sale.

In evidence Mr. Little said lie had a training establishment. It was unusual lor a trainer to take a part of the purchase price of a half-share in a horse ami for the trainer then to retain the winnings until the purchase price was satisPied.

Lord Ranfurly. in the witness-box. ilenied that he ever agreed to pay £SOO rash for his half-share. .Mr. Little, he said, was anxious to get him on his list of patrons. Mr. Justice Horridge said he thought Lord Ranfurlv's version was more likely to be right. 'Mr. Little bought the horse for £SOO, and to make an agreement by which Lord Ranfurly would pay the full purchase price for a half-share would he m extraordinary transaction.