Sir Charles Hare, a young Irish baronet, gambles his all on one of his horses at Ascot. But the horse is 'pulled' on the instructions of Hardwick, a big bookmaker, and Sir Charles is forced to sell his Irish estate, including the racing stud that was the chief delight of his life. But his aunt, Lady Anne, attends the sale and buys a promising foal which she intends to raise in secret for the absent Charles ...