3rd Viscount Frederick St John, Lord Bolingbroke   (b.1732)
Frederick was born in 1732 and baptised at St George's in Hanover Square.

His father died and his education was entrusted to Lord Luxborough but his uncle, Henry St John was not satisfied with his progress and sent the young Frederick to Caen. Matters did not improve in Caen and frederick was returned to England. Henry St John died in 1751, having been ill for a number of years, and Frederick fell under the wing of the Earl of Chesterfield who proposed that the young man should continue his education in Paris.

In Paris, Frederick became very popular, gaining in charm and confidence. Returning to England, he met Lady Diana Spencer, the daughter of the 3rd Duke of Marlborough and the couple were married in 1757. Their relationship deteriorated however after the birth of their child and in 1765, while Frederick was away in Norfolk, Lady Diana moved out of the marital home. Her affections were with Topham Beauclerk and their child was born on August 20th, 1766.

Frederick, now Lord Bolingbroke, brought divorce proceedings in an Ecclesiastical Court but this did not permit him to remarry during the life-time of Lady Diana so he petitioned the House of Lords for permission. The Act recieved the royal assent on March 10th, 1768 and Beauclerk married Lady Diana the following day. Lord Bolingbroke never remarried.

Gimcrack was only owned by Lord Bolingbroke for a few months but the horse was a champion of his time.

Lord Bolingbroke became a famous racehorse owner and between 1760 and 1790 had stables for some 20 horses at Lydiard Park with his winnings ranging between 100 and 1,000 guineas. Not only did the stables contribute considerably to the local economy, but Bolingbroke became an early patron of George Stubbs who painted many of his horses including Gimcrack, Hollyhock, Lustre, Millylonglegs and Turf.

see also: Training Stables at Wroughton