Earliest meeting: Monday 30th September 1844
Final meeting: Thursday 20th August 1891
The Irish County Louth village of Annagassan, near the town of Ballynagassan, stands on the River Glyde. In the 1800s it staged its own races, billed as Annagassan Strand Races, with one of the earliest records of a meeting at the track being held on Monday 30th September 1844. The course was located within 4 miles of Dunleer and 3 miles of Castlebellingham, and the principal race was the Annagassan Hurdle. Races continued to be organised on a regular basis, although at the meeting on Thursday 17th July 1873 there was a tragic incident in the Castle Wellingham Stakes when Arden fell at a ‘leap’ and rolled over heavily onto its jockey Robert Hudson. He later died from his injuries. The final meeting was held on Thursday 20th August 1891.
Monday 30th September 1844
Annagassan Stakes over 2 miles
1. Boyne Lass, 5 year old owned by Mr O’Brien
2. Here-we-are, owned by Mr Doherty
3. Miss Magee, owned by Mr R Arthur
The entry stage of the Monday 31st July 1871 meeting.
On the outskirts of the village, mid-way between Dunleer and Castlebellingham.
Much of the information about this course has been found using internet research and is in the public domain. However, useful research sources have been:-
London Illustrated News
Racing Illustrated 1895-1899
The Sporting & Dramatic Illustrated
Northern Turf History Volumes 1-4 by J.Fairfax-Blakeborough
The Sporting Magazine
A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt first published in 1996 ISBN 0 900599 89 8
Racing Calendars which were first published in 1727
