Career of Robert Sievier.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XXI, 21 May 1904, Page 21

Career of Robert Sievier.

The “Sydney Daily Telegraph” contains interesting particulars of the history of Robert Sievier, whose unsuccessful slander action against Sir Janies Duke constituted a sensation trial in the London Courts last week:—Mr. R. S. Sievier, says the paper, was wellknown in the colonies a few years ago, when he followed the calling of a bookmaker, and traded in the name of Mr. Bob Sutton. While he lasted Mr. Sutton made a name for himself as a very liberal, if not successful, purveyor of odds, but after a season or 1 wo here, during which he lived in great style, he returned to England. But before bidding the colonies good-bye he used some strong language during the currency of a pigeon match to Lord Deershurst, who was then associated with Government House in Melbourne, and the case found its way into one of the Victorian law courts, with the result that Bob Sutton had a fine imposed against him. Soon after returning to England Mr. Robert Sutton Sievier, which is his proper name, was presented at Court, and he lost no time in forwarding to some of his Victorian friends elaborate photographs of himself as he appeared in Court dress. But Mr. Sievier’s Court privileges were not long in his possession, for following on Lord Deerhurst’s return home it was announced that they hud been withdrawn. At a later period, and after a succession of ups and downs, of which he has had plenty, Mr. Sievier married Lady Mabel, a sister of the Marquis of Aylesbury, and laterhad a striking turn of good fortune. He seems to have run into a lot of money, and at the sale of the late Duke of Westminster’s yearlings in 1000 gave 10,000 guineas for Sceptre, 5500 guineas for a filly by Trenton from Saudiway, 5600 guineas for Duke of Westminster, and made another purchase or two. The price paid for Sceptre is the highest ever given for a yearling, but she proved a fine investment, and in addition to winning her owner an immense amount of money in stakes, was sold for what was said to be £25,000 to Mr. W. Bass. Another of Mr. Sievier’s yearling purchases also proved profitable to him. The youngster was afterwards known as the Duke of Westminster, and subsequent to winning a race was sold at three-years-old for £21,000.Apropos of the sale of Sceptre as a yearling a story was told that when the bidding became exciting word was passed to Mr Sievier that his Majesty, then the Prince of Wales, was anxious to purchase the filly. Mdst sportsmen, in the circumstances, might have retired and left the field to Royalty, but Mr. Sievier had evidently not forgotten the withdrawal of his Court privileges, and replied most respectfully that the Prince of Wales would require to bid heavily to obtain possession. At 10,000 guineas the hammer fell in Mr. Sievier’s favour. At a previous sale there was some friction between Mr. Sievier and the auctioneer, and fearing that there would be a repetition of the unpleasantness at the disposal of the Duke of Westminster’s yearlings, Mr. Sievier called at the office of the Messrs. Weatherby and startled that firm by announcing that he desired to deposit £20,000 to cover any purchases he might make. For a while the firm in question demurred lo being saddled with the custody of so much money, but finally yielded. For several seasons past Mr. Sievier has

maintained ■ large st ring of horses in England, and on occasions backed them to win fabulous amounts.