Maurice Ephrussi
Maurice Ephrussi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Odessa, Russian Empire |
| Died | October 29, 1916 (aged 66) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, horse breeder |
| Known for | Banking with Ephrussi & Co., Thoroughbred horse breeding |
Maurice Ephrussi (18 November 1849 – 29 October 1916) was a distinguished French banker and a prominent figure in horse breeding.
Early life
Maurice was born in Odessa, within the Russian Empire, into the influential Ephrussi family. His father, Charles Joachim Ephrussi, was the founder of the banking institution Ephrussi & Co., while his older half-brother, Ignace von Ephrussi, was responsible for launching its Vienna branch.
Career
In partnership with his brother Michel Ephrussi, Maurice played a key role in establishing the Paris branch of Ephrussi & Co.
Equestrian interests
Both Maurice and Michel were deeply involved in Thoroughbred horse racing. Maurice owned Haras du Gazon, a breeding establishment located in Normandy, where he developed the champion stallion Perth. Perth was a descendant of the Ephrussi-owned stallion War Dance, who also sired the distinguished filly Roxelane.
During the 1860s, Maurice purchased Château de Reux near Calvados, situated about from Haras du Gazon.
His horses achieved victories in several prestigious French and English competitions, including:
- Cambridgeshire Handicap - Alicante (1907)
- La Coupe - Bariolet (1882)
- Prix de la Forêt - Seymour (1879), Alicante (1889)
- Prix du Cadran - Bariolet (1882)
- Prix du Jockey Club - Mordant (1907)
- Prix Gladiateur - Bariolet (1882)
- Prix du Nabob - Alicante (1890), Chapeau Chinois (1893)
- Prix Royal-Oak - Alicante (1890)
- Prix Jean Prat - Alicante (1891)
Eventually, Haras du Gazon was sold to American horseman Herman B. Duryea.
Personal life
Maurice wed Béatrice de Rothschild, daughter of Alphonse de Rothschild from France’s eminent Rothschild banking dynasty. Their marriage ceremony was held on June 5, 1883, in Paris. The couple maintained several residences including homes in Paris, a Monte Carlo villa named "Rose de France," and constructed the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat during the early twentieth century.
The union declined after Béatrice contracted syphilis from Maurice, which resulted in infertility. By 1904, Maurice had accumulated gambling debts exceeding 12 million gold francs (roughly equivalent to 30 million euros today). Due to financial concerns, the Rothschild family initiated legal proceedings for separation, which was finalized in June 1904 after more than two decades of marriage.
Both spouses were passionate art collectors; notably, Maurice’s cousin Charles Ephrussi was an influential supporter of Impressionist artists and served as editor of the Parisian publication Gazette des Beaux-Arts.
Maurice Ephrussi passed away in 1916. Béatrice spent her final years residing in Davos and died in 1934.