Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 2.djvu/542

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Machell
522
Machray

called Bacchus, which he had bought for a very small sum. With this animal he at once won a big handicap. The race was worth 1000l., and he was said to have won a bet of 10,000l. to 400l. Thus he quickly obtained a firm footing on the turf, and was very soon one of its conspicuous figures. In 1865 he became associated with Mr. Henry Chaplin, who, at his instigation, bought that season the yearling Hermit for 1000 guineas. Two years later Hermit won the Derby and incidentally put some 70,000l. into Machell's pocket. From time to time Machell gave his guidance to new-comers to the turf, among them Sir Charles Legard, Lord Aylesford, the earl of Lonsdale, Lord Calthorpe, Sir John Willoughby, Lord Rodney, and Harry McCalmont [q. v. Suppl. II]. McCalmont was indebted to Machell's insight for his ownership of Isinglass. The horse's dam, Deadlock, which belonged originally to Lord Alington, was purchased by Machell for a small sum, and he bred from her a useful animal called Gervas. But before the merits of Gervas were ascertained Deadlock was sold, and all trace of her lost, until one day Machell recognised her in a farmer's cart and, obtaining her for a trifling consideration, sold her for 500l. to McCalmont, who in 1890 bred from her Isinglass to Isonomy. Machell superintended the training of Isinglass, who won stakes to the value of 57,455l., and carried off in 1893 the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, and St. Leger.

Machell was also mainly responsible for the victories (for various owners) of Knight of the Thistle for the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot, Petronel in the Two Thousand Guineas (1880), Pilgrimage in the Two Thousand Guineas and One Thousand Guineas (1878), Harvester, who dead-heated with St. Gatien in the Derby (1884), Seabreeze, winner of the Oaks and St. Leger (1888), and Rockdove in the Cesarewitch (1895). Three of his own horses won the Grand National Steeplechase — Disturbance in 1873; Reugny in 1874; and Regal in 1876. He was also interested in Lord Manners's Seaman, who won in 1882. Between 1864 and 1902 Machell's own horses won 540 races, worth 110,010l. Apart from his sound knowledge of horses, Machell's success was largely attributable to his judgment of human character, to his business-like methods, and to his patience. Machell, who in his early days proved himself a swift short-distance runner, died at St. Leonards, Sussex, on 11 May 1902, and was buried in Newmarket cemetery. A portrait in oils of Machell, mounted on a grey Arab horse, watching a training gallop on Newmarket Heath, is at Crackanthorpe Hall, Appleby. It was painted by H. Hopkins and E. Havell. A cartoon portrait by 'Spy' appeared in 'Vanity Fair' in 1887.

[Notes supplied by Mr. P. W. Machell, C.M.G. (nephew); Sportsman, and Pall Mall Gaz., 12 May 1902; Ruff's Guide to the Turf; Baily's Mag. 1889 (portrait); W. C. A. Blew, Hist. of Steeplechasing, 1901; Badminton Library, Racing, 1900.]

E. M.


MACHRAY, ROBERT (1831–1904), archbishop of Rupert's Land, born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on 17 May 1831, of Highland ancestry, was son of Robert Machray, advocate of Aberdeen, by his wife Christian Macallum. His parents were presbyterians. After early education at Nairn Academy and at Coull parish school, he graduated M.A. from King's College, Aberdeen, in 1851, being head of his year, and winning the highest prizes. Proceeding to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, he graduated there in 1855 as 34th wrangler, and was elected to a fellowship. He proceeded M.A. in 1858. He was dean of his college in 1858. Meanwhile he had joined the Church of England, and was ordained deacon in 1855 and priest in the following year. He became vicar of Madingley, near Cambridge, in 1862. In 1865 Machray was Ramsden preacher at Cambridge, and in the same year he accepted the bishopric of Rupert's Land, as successor to David Anderson, the first bishop, being consecrated at Lambeth on 24 June 1865. He proceeded D.D. of Cambridge, and was made hon. LL.D. of Aberdeen in the same year.

Machray's diocese covered 2,000,000 square miles of territory, with headquarters at Winnipeg, then a hamlet with a population of 150. To assist him in the administration of the diocese he had only eighteen clergymen. In 1866 he made a difficult tour of inspection of the Indian missions and held a first conference of the diocese on 30 May 1866. A first diocesan synod met on 29 May 1867. Machray was active in introducing new methods of education. He renewed and reorganised the disused St. John's College, Winnipeg, securing John Maclean [q. v.], later first bishop of Saskatchewan, as warden and theological tutor; he himself lectured in ecclesiastical history and liturgiology as well as in mathematics. He also formed a college school for boys, of which he took charge. In 1878 he founded