Caroline Beresford, Duchess of Montrose
The Duchess of Montrose | |
|---|---|
Caroline Beresford | |
| Born | 21 August 1818 |
| Died | 16 November 1894 |
| Spouse(s) |
et al. |
| Children | Douglas Graham, 5th Duke of Montrose et al. |
| Parent(s) | John Beresford, 2nd Baron Decies Charlotte Horsley |
| Relatives | Beresford 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", 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. It was said of her in one of her obituaries that "few women in England create more stir in all classes of society". She betted heavily, hardly ever missed attending a race meeting where her horses were competing, and associated almost exclusively with followers of the turf.