John Arthur James

John Arthur James, MVO DL (1853–1917) was the son of a wealthy Liverpool merchant who became a friend of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), sharing his interest in horse racing. In 1885 he married Mary Venetia Cavendish-Bentinck (1861–1948), godmother to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Early years James’s parents were Daniel and Sophia James, Americans living in Liverpool, England. He was educated privately at Woodbridge in Suffolk and admitted to Trinity College, Cambridge, on 24 February 1870 graduating BA in 1874. After his father died in 1876, James joined the family business, but left in 1879. He enjoyed a period of bachelorhood with his two brothers, Frank and William, living in London, shooting in Scotland and big game hunting in Africa. Together they traveled the continent of Africa, and Frank, who was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, published details on their return. Horseracing In 1885 James married Mary Venetia Cavendish-Bentinck, who was the daughter of George Cavendish-Bentinck and Prudentia Penelope Leslie. They lived in Grafton Street, London, and Coton House near Rugby where they bred racehorses. On the racetrack their successes included: Goodwood Cup: 1901 Fortunatus; 1902 Perseus; 1903 Rabelais. Coronation Stakes: 1899 Fascination. New Stakes (Norfolk Stakes): 1899 The Gorgon. Windsor Castle Stakes: 1902 Mabon; 1903 Huntly; 1904 Chain Stitch. National Breeders Stakes: 1902 Rabelais. 2,000 Guineas Stakes: 1906 Gorgos