Earliest meeting: Monday 29th July 1751
Final meeting: Saturday 29th September 1759
The hamlet of Assollas is situated in County Clare and once had a turnpike because of its prominent location. It certainly held its own race meetings and the ‘Historical List of Horse-Matches Run in 1751’ recorded the results from an early meeting, with a £20 Purse contested each day. The instigator of the meeting was Sir Edward O’Brien, with the racecourse marked out across his fields. It might be pure coincidence that he, or his son, won the main race on a different horse on each of the 3 days. After a break from being reported in the ‘Historical Races Annual’ Assollas returned in 1759. The 2 day meeting took place on Thursday 28th and Saturday 29th September and, once again, all races were won by Edward O’Brien, with Old Ireland taking the principal race on day one. It seems his benefit did not continue for a further season. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 4 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Sir Edward O'Brien, Dr Whelan, Granahan Hunt |
| Principal Races |
Gentlemen of Granahan Hunt Sweepstake, Assollas Purses |
Monday 29th July 1751 |
Assollas £20 Purse
1. Fribble, bay colt owned by Master Edward O’Brien
2. Merry Andrew, bay colt owned by Mr John McNamara |
Tuesday 30th July 1751 |
Assollas Second £20 Purse
1. Penacre, black gelding owned by Sir Edward O’Brien
2. Mercury, black horse owned by Dr Whelan |
Wednesday 31st July 1751 |
Assollas Third £20 Purse
1. Hack About, chestnut mare owned by Master Edward O’Brien
2. Unnamed chestnut mare owned by James Fitzgerald |
After a break from being reported in the ‘Historical Races’ Annual, Assollas returned in 1759. The meeting took place in September and race details are shown below. |
27th September 1759 |
Sweepstake for Hunters belonging to Gentlemen of Granahan Hunt
1. Old Ireland, grey gelding owned by Mr O’Brien
2. Bobadill, bay gelding owned by Mr O’Brien
3. Driver, chestnut gelding owned by Mr McDonnell
4. Foxhunter, bay horse owned by Mr Mahon |
29th September 1759 |
Assollas 30 Guineas Subscription
1. Brutus, brown horse owned by Mr O’Brien
2. Game Cock, bay horse owned by Mr Creagh
3. Unnamed grey mare owned by Mr Hewson |
| Course today |
On the estate of Sir Edward O’Brien. |
| If you have photos, postcards, racecards. badges, newspaper cuttings or book references about the old course, or can provide a photo of how the ground on which the old racecourse stood looks today, then email johnwslusar@gmail.com |
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 |
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ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3
652 pages
774 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0
352 pages
400 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7
180 pages
140 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4
264 pages
235 former courses |
| Copies of the above books are only available by emailing johnwslusar@gmail.com stating your requirements, method of payment (cheque payable to W.Slusar) or Bank transfer, and the address where the book(s) should be sent. |
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