The Horse That Financed the Festival

Today Summerhall, the venue that used to be the Royal Dick Vet,  unveiled a statue that pays homage to Ocean Swell.

Ocean Swell owned by Lord Rosebury won the Derby and the Jockey Gold Cup in 1944. Rosebury won £10,000 on his horse which he saved in a separate account.

When Lady Roseberry suggested that they help finance the first Edinburgh Festival she was surprised by the costs, she asked her husband for funds who told her about Ocean Swells winnings. 

Lord Rosebury then gave these winnings to his wife to pay for half the cost of the inaugural Edinburgh International Festival in 1947.

The rest is now history...