Born at Camperdown, Victoria, Sir Chester Manifold served on the Committee of the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) from 1937 to 1972 including 11 years as Chairman (1951-1962).
Sir Chester is seen as largely responsible for the introduction of the Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) in Victoria which he saw as the best means of channeling back into racing, the vast sums of money lost to illegal bookmakers. He served as the first Chairman of the TAB (1961-1968) and was held in high regard by all sections of the racing industry.
Sir Chester also enjoyed great success as an owner-breeder. His best-known horse was the outstanding steeplechaser Crisp which was narrowly beaten in the 1973 Aintree Grand National Steeplechase.
Sir Chester's memory is honoured by the VRC with the annual running of the Chester Manifold Stakes (Listed) at Flemington.
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