Sir Robert Norberton lived at Shoscombe Old Place with his widowed sister. Shoscombe Old Place had belonged to her late husband and Norberton had no claim on it at all. In fact when his sister dies it would revert to her husbands brother. Sir Robert Norberton was a hard rider and had once come 2nd in the Grand National. Now he was entering the finest horse, Shoscombe Prince, in the derby and had to win it. Sir Robert was up to his neck in in debts so that he had invested everything he could raise or borrow on the horse. If Prince fails him he is done for. 

John Mason was the head trainer of the racehorses at Shoscombe Old Place. He was was concerned about Sir Roberts actions including giving away his sisters beloved spaniel and all the strange recent goings-on at the old church crypt at night. Things had upset him to the point where he decided to call in Sherlock Holmes.

The last of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.