Sir Rupert Mackeson
Sir Rupert Mackeson, 2nd Baronet, was born on November 16, 1941, the son of Sir Harry Mackeson, 1st Baronet, and his wife Alethea Cecil Chetwynd-Talbot. Sir Rupert’s grandfather, Henry Mackeson, was founder of the Mackeson brewery.
Sir Rupert Mackeson, 2nd Baronet, was born on November 16, 1941, the son of Sir Harry Mackeson, 1st Baronet, and his wife Alethea Cecil Chetwynd-Talbot. Sir Rupert’s grandfather, Henry Mackeson, was founder of the Mackeson brewery.
His family, who farmed and hunted in Kent, was immersed in racing. He was educated at Harrow School, during which time he began riding in point-to-points, and later at Trinity College, Dublin. While at Trinity College he rode out for Curragh trainer George Wells.
His family, who farmed and hunted in Kent, was immersed in racing. He was educated at Harrow School, during which time he began riding in point-to-points, and later at Trinity College, Dublin. While at Trinity College he rode out for Curragh trainer George Wells.
He then passed through Sandhurst and served four years in the Royal Horse Guards. He spent six years as an amateur rider in the 19690s, during which time he rode in point-to-points and in Flat and National Hunt races, accumulating a few winners along the way in point-to-points in England and Ireland and in Flat races in Germany and Belgium.
He then passed through Sandhurst and served four years in the Royal Horse Guards. He spent six years as an amateur rider in the 19690s, during which time he rode in point-to-points and in Flat and National Hunt races, accumulating a few winners along the way in point-to-points in England and Ireland and in Flat races in Germany and Belgium.
Sadly, he did not manage to win a race under National Hunt rules. He rode handicap hurdler Cross-Bill nine times for trainer Jim Wibberley during the first half of the 1963/64 season, finishing fourth three times within a fortnight in sellers at Ludlow, Wye and Plumpton. The following season he finished fourth in a high-class amateur riders’ chase at Sandown on Edgar II (right) and occupied the same position on Seaza in the inaugural running of the Past and Present Hurdle at Sandown’s Grand Military meeting.
Sadly, he did not manage to win a race under National Hunt rules. He rode handicap hurdler Cross-Bill nine times for trainer Jim Wibberley during the first half of the 1963/64 season, finishing fourth three times within a fortnight in sellers at Ludlow, Wye and Plumpton. The following season he finished fourth in a high-class amateur riders’ chase at Sandown on Edgar II (right) and occupied the same position on Seaza in the inaugural running of the Past and Present Hurdle at Sandown’s Grand Military meeting.
On leaving the army he became a successful stockbroker. He then found employment running a City of London bank that had strong ties to the Mafia. However, not wishing to end up under Blackfriars Bridge in a pair of concrete boots when matters became uncomfortable, he left that Mafia-controlled financial institution and relocated to present day Zimbabwe, which was at the time called Rhodesia and under the control of Ian Smith’s white-minority government.
On leaving the army he became a successful stockbroker. He then found employment running a City of London bank that had strong ties to the Mafia. However, not wishing to end up under Blackfriars Bridge in a pair of concrete boots when matters became uncomfortable, he left that Mafia-controlled financial institution and relocated to present day Zimbabwe, which was at the time called Rhodesia and under the control of Ian Smith’s white-minority government.
There he began a clandestine career in smuggling and made a lot of money by so doing, only to be arrested by the Rhodesian authorities for extradition to Britain. He was deported to South Africa as there were then no direct flights between Rhodesia and Britain. Having been put onto a British-bound plane, he managed to fight his way off and was returned to Rhodesian where he was sent to the Khami prison camp. Within a day, he was removed from the prison for inciting a riot.
There he began a clandestine career in smuggling and made a lot of money by so doing, only to be arrested by the Rhodesian authorities for extradition to Britain. He was deported to South Africa as there were then no direct flights between Rhodesia and Britain. Having been put onto a British-bound plane, he managed to fight his way off and was returned to Rhodesian where he was sent to the Khami prison camp. Within a day, he was removed from the prison for inciting a riot.
When he was finally transported back to the UK, the judge presiding over the case ruled that it was an illegal extradition – a kidnapping, in essence – and had him freed. He was lucky. At one point he was considered to be Britain’s seventh most wanted man. Scotland Yard reckoned he’d given them the run-around and was second only to Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs in causing them the most trouble.
When he was finally transported back to the UK, the judge presiding over the case ruled that it was an illegal extradition – a kidnapping, in essence – and had him freed. He was lucky. At one point he was considered to be Britain’s seventh most wanted man. Scotland Yard reckoned he’d given them the run-around and was second only to Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs in causing them the most trouble.
Rupert then became a writer of books about racing, fact and fiction, both under his own name and his pen name Rupert Collens. They include ‘Bet Like a Man’ (2001), a novel about the cloning of a Derby winner, ‘Cecil Aldin’s ‘Dogs and Hounds’ and, in conjunction with author John Welcome, three volumes of ‘Snaffles’, namely ‘Snaffles: His Life and Works’, ‘Snaffles on Racing and Point to Pointing’ and ‘Snaffles on Hunting’.
Rupert then became a writer of books about racing, fact and fiction, both under his own name and his pen name Rupert Collens. They include ‘Bet Like a Man’ (2001), a novel about the cloning of a Derby winner, ‘Cecil Aldin’s ‘Dogs and Hounds’ and, in conjunction with author John Welcome, three volumes of ‘Snaffles’, namely ‘Snaffles: His Life and Works’, ‘Snaffles on Racing and Point to Pointing’ and ‘Snaffles on Hunting’.
In 1983 he founded Marlborough Books and went into publishing, editing many books, such as the four-volume ‘Great Racing Gambles and Frauds’ for Richard Onslow, and Bryony Fuller’s books on Vincent O’Brien, Fulke Walwyn and Tom Dreaper. Among the most successful books he has published is Jack Berry’s ‘It’s Tougher at the Bottom’.
In 1983 he founded Marlborough Books and went into publishing, editing many books, such as the four-volume ‘Great Racing Gambles and Frauds’ for Richard Onslow, and Bryony Fuller’s books on Vincent O’Brien, Fulke Walwyn and Tom Dreaper. Among the most successful books he has published is Jack Berry’s ‘It’s Tougher at the Bottom’.
Sitting alongside the books is the art side of the business. His bookshop and art gallery operates on several British racecourses including Newbury, Warwick and Exeter.
Sitting alongside the books is the art side of the business. His bookshop and art gallery operates on several British racecourses including Newbury, Warwick and Exeter.