A succession of Dukes of Portland were horseracing enthusiasts, and this long-held racing reputation was continued by the 6th Duke (1857-1943). The first of his successful stallions, St. Simon, went on to sire nine champion racehorses, who together won 571 races and gained the equivalent of more than £53million in today’s money. In 1888 alone, his winnings for Welbeck amounted to £73,858, which is equivalent to almost £7.5million today.
While the Duke was known for his racing fortunes, he was a very generous man, and the almshouses were specifically built for retired estate workers. They commemorated the victories of his most successful racing thoroughbreds – Memoir, Ayrshire, Donovan and Semolina.
In 2020, two of the six houses were refurbished and transformed into the estate's first self-catering holiday cottages. Guests to the cottages can enjoy the traditional and ornate features of these 19th-century properties. Â
