Earliest meeting: Thursday 19th March 1868
Final meeting: Saturday 26th August 1972
Baldoyle racecourse was situated a short distance from Dublin in a small coastal area on its north east perimeter. It was a sharp, flat seaside track that witnessed many stars in its history, both on the Flat and over Jumps. Although it staged races prior to 1868 in conjunction with Howth, it held a meeting in its own right on Thursday 19th March 1868. However, it opened for business as a closed park course in May 1874, and benefitted greatly from the significant railway network which enabled over 10,000 enthusiasts to get to the new track from all areas of Ireland. The Dublin Metropolitan meeting was also held at the racecourse, with cards often consisting of Flat and National Hunt races on the same programme. It was a track which constantly attracted good quality horses; indeed the second occasion Pat Taaffe rode the great Arkle was at Baldoyle in the 2 mile Balbriggan Handicap Hurdle. Despite the race being only worth £387 10s, the distance was on the short side for Arkle and the going too fast, so he finished unplaced and showed little evidence of what was to follow. Rated only second to Arkle in the all-time list of Irish Jumping stars, Flyingbolt won the 1964 running of the Killester Hurdle at Baldoyle. Baldoyle was a popular meeting hosting Spring, Early and Late Summer meetings until it closed its gates for the final time on Saturday 26th August 1972.
Monday 16th March 1891 (Spring Meeting)
The Curragh Plate over 5 furlongs
1. Rathena owned by Mr Westland
2. Lord Cardinal owned by Mr G Orr
3. Bivouac owned by Mr J H Locke
Whit Monday 18th May 1891 (Early Summer Meeting)
The Baldoyle Derby over1 ½ miles
1. Chatterbox owned by Mr H E Linde
2. Rossmore owned by Mr F F Cullen
3. Monica owned by Mr R C Dawson
Monday 3rd August 1891 (Late Summer Meeting)
The Baldoyle Plate over 7 furlongs
1. Maddenstown owned by Mr R Newcomen
2. Cry Help owned by Mr T G Gordon
3. Prefect owned by Mr A Tiernan
One of the most influential people overseeing the continued development of Baldoyle Racecourse for over a quarter of a century was Robert McK Waters. Since boyhood he was closely connected with Irish racing through his father's involvement. In due course Robert became chief handicapper of the Irish Turf Club and the Irish National Hunt Committee. His skills in handicapping were legendary, being greatly admired by everyone who took a keen interest in racing. In the early 1890's he became associated with Baldoyle Racecourse, and by 1893 he had replaced Mr Brindley as secretary. During his time working for the Metropolitan Race Company and the Baldoyle Race Company he acted as Secretary, Judge, Clerk of the Scales, Handicapper, Auctioneer and Clerk of the Course. In May 1921, while residing at 63 Dawson Street, Dublin he was still the Secretary in charge of stabling in the Racecourse Yard, as well as liaising with owners and trainers prior to constructing the racecards for the meetings. In 1922 Robert McK Waters helped Richard Gleeson on a project to lay out a racecourse at Naas, but unfortunately Robert died later in 1922 and the project was held up and did not come to fruition until 1924 when Naas opened their gates for the first time on Thursday 19th June 1924.
I am grateful to Thomas James Beattie for the most unusual item shown below. It is hallmarked silver and was presented to Robert McK Waters in 1902. It was made by James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield who were renowned sporting trophy makers at that time. It measures 3 ins high, 4 1/4 ins long and 3 ins wide.
The postcard below shows Baldoyle racecourse circa 1905
In 1919 Snow Maiden won the Baldoyle Derby for J J Maher.
On only the second occasion Pat Taffe rode the great Arkle it was at Baldoyle in the 2 mile Balbriggan Handicap Hurdle. Despite the race being only worth £387 10s the distance was on the short side for Arkle and the going too fast, so he finished unplaced and showed little evidence of what was to follow.
Rated only second to Arkle in the all time list of Irish Jumping stars, Flyingbolt won the 1964 running of the Killester Hurdle at the track.
One of the final meetings at Baldoyle took place on Friday 17th March 1972, just 5 months before the track closed for good, and the meeting is vividly remembered by Perry Robinson who attended with his dad. The pair took the bus from Rathmines to the city centre and on to the racecourse, and Perry remembers backing Tyrone Typhoon with a distant relation, a bookmaker called Sonny, at 16/1. His father also had a winner to crown a successful, enjoyable day leaving Perry with memories he still treasures today.
Friday 17th March 1972
Juvenile Stakes £800 over 5 furlongs
1. HUMBUG (1/2 fav) ridden by L Johnson
2. PIMM HOOK (3/1)
3. BRAHMINY (33/1)
4. GREAT ECHO
5. BALLYMACMOY
6. SPANISH DUBLOON
7. SAMS BIRD
8. SUPER SUNSHINE
9. BEEOGAN
Winner won by 3 lengths, with 3 lengths between second and third
Dublin Hurdle £800 over 2 miles
1. PATENT SLIPPER (7/2) ridden by J Fowler
2. GREEK TAN (8/1)
3. QAIL BORDEN (4/1)
4. HAPPT ABBOT (5/2 fav)
5. BLUE SMOKE
6. BELDERG
7. CRAIGAVON
8. THREE SHEETS
9. CULLOVILLE
10. CONNIE MACK
11. FORTUITY
12. LUNAR NAVIGATOR
13. SOLUTION
The winner won by 3 lengths, with a head between second and third
Spring Stakes £800 over 7 furlongs
1. PIDGET (8/1) ridden by L Johnson
2. FRENCH OYSTER (9/2)
3. BREIDES WOOD (6/1)
4. TYRONE TYPHOON (16/1)
5. POQUITO
6. POTTAHA
7. BONNE FEMME
8. LAGER
9. FLATTERY
10. MARYS DREAM
11. PALE JASMIN (Evens fav)
12. TOISON D’OR
13. LADY TALISMAN
14. BRITISH QUEEN
15. TOURNEY
16. WRONG DECISION
17. YES OR NO
18. GAY SE LEVE
19. BLACK HONEY
20. GUN RUNNING
The winner won by 2 lengths with a neck between second and third
Raheny Handicap Chase £400 over 2 miles 1 furlong
1. HILARIOUS BOY (5/1) ridden by S Lynch
2. BRIGHT TRACK (20/1)
3. CHARIOTS COUSIN (20/1)
4. TWO BOWS (3/1 fav)
5. THE POOKA
6. ALECTRYON
7. GILHOOLY
8. WHY HOVE
9. WESTERN PROBLEM
10. ARCTIC RAY
11. CULIA HILL
12. FENIT
13. PHALAHERIN
14. STAN ROYAL
The winner won by 2 lengths with a length back to the third
The following races also took place, although the results are not known.
St Patrick’s Day Stakes £800 over 1 mile 4 furlongs
Shielmartin Handicap (Div 1) £400 over 1 mile 1 furlong
Shielmartin Handicap (Div 2) £400 over 1 mile 1 furlong
The final meeting took place on Saturday 26th August 1972
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
