Thomas Chester Manifold

Sir (Thomas) Chester Manifold (13 May 1897 – 6 January 1979) was prominent member of the Victorian Racing community as a successful racehorse owner and breeder. He also spent six years as a Victorian politician.

Manifold was born in Camperdown to James Chester Manifold and Lilian Eva Curle. Known by his middle name (Chester). He attended Geelong Grammar School and then studied economics at the University of Cambridge. During World War I he served with the Royal Field Artillery, and was wounded at Ypres in 1917. On his return to Australia in 1920 he worked for a stock and station agency, and on 22 May 1923 married Gwenda Grimwade, During World War II he served in New Guinea as a lieutenant-colonel. He was first chairman of the Victorian TAB from 1961 to 1969. Chester was the owner of the famous jumper Crisp that came second in the English 1973 Grand National.

Homestead Manifold's property, "Talindert", was a successful horse stud. The homestead with 15 bedrooms and 1700 acres of prime farming land hosted Princess Alexandra when she visited in 1959. It was a mixed farm which besides the horse stud ran beef, sheep and dairy cows. Talindert Primary School No. 3644 block was donated by the Manifolds.

Honours Manifold was knighted in 1953 and made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1965.

Death Manifold died in Camperdown on 6 January 1979.