Sporting Life (1918)

John, the financially troubled Earl of Woodstock, plans to recoup his losses by betting on gypsy boxer Joe Lee in a fight at the English National Sporting Club, and by entering his horse, Lady Love, in the London Derby at Epsom Downs. Woodstock's sworn enemy, gambler Malet De Carteret, orders his wife Olive to thwart the earl's first plan by luring Joe away from both his trainer and his devoted sweetheart, Kitty Cavanagh. When the boxer fails to respond to Olive's charms, however, she drugs him, whereupon Woodstock enters the ring and, following a difficult contest, defeats champion pugilist Crake. Meanwhile, De Carteret's men steal Lady Love, but Kitty's sister Norah, with whom Woodstock is in love, tricks the gambler and regains the horse. Next, De Carteret kidnaps the earl, but Joe rescues him, and both men arrive at the track in time to see Lady Love win the race. Wealthy once again, Woodstock marries Norah, while Joe weds his loving Kitty.