Earliest meeting: Monday 7th October 1782
Final meeting: Thursday 31st January 1867
The Irish racecourse at the town of Ballincollig on the River Lee in County Cork first organised races in the latter part of the 18th century. The town is overlooked by Ballincollig Castle and first held a six day meeting on a course a mile from the town centre in October 1782 when the opening race was a ‘Give & Take’ over 4 miles. The track was keen to celebrate military achievements and held the Garrison Steeplechase in March 1840. Traditionally there was a meeting held on Boxing Day and in 1866 one was organised to recognise the part played by the 12th Lancers. However, the meeting had to be postponed when the officers were too busy to attend. Twice in 1867 the meeting had to be postponed due to the state of the ground, and when the meeting was finally held on Thursday 31st January the sport and crowd size were both disappointing. There are no further records of meetings being held in the town. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 4 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
12th Royal Lancers, Captain Fagan, Mr J Hewson, Mr Murphy |
| Principal Races |
Ballincollig Plate, Aristocratic Steeplechase, Give and Take Purses, Sweepstake Matches |
Monday 7th to Saturday 12th October 1782 |
Ballincollig Give and Take Purse over 4 miles
1. Dairy Maid owned by Mr J Hewson
2. Merry Traveller owned by Mr Murphy
3. Petticoat Loose owned by Mr T Lloyd
Ballincollig One Mile Purse
1. Examiner owned by Mr J Hewson
2. Unnamed grey gelding owned by Mr S Rollestone
3. Petticoat Loose owned by Mr T Lloyd
Ballincollig Sweepstakes Match
1. Merry Traveller owned by Mr Murphy
2. Nancy Dawson owned by Mr Alexander |
| The final meeting took place on Thursday 31st January 1867. |
| Course today |
In fields just a mile from Ballincollig. |
| 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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