Earliest meeting: Wednesday 31st July 1782
Final meeting: Thursday 27th April 1939
The Welsh capital city of Cardiff first recorded a three day race meeting from Wednesday 31st July to Friday 2nd August 1782 at Heath Farm, which was believed to be its first racecourse, when the Mansel-Talbot Cup over 2 miles went to Mr Pritchard’s Perdita. However, further information has been found of an earlier racecourse in the 1720s, albeit a point-to-point course, details of which can be found below. The Heath Farm meetings proved popular and were supported by the Cardiff Corporation who donated £20 to the racing fund each year. James Whyte, in his ‘History of the British Turf’ recorded the card in July 1839 consisted of the Glamorganshire Stakes, the Coronation Stakes and the Cardiff Stakes, all over 2 miles. The Ely Racecourse, an excellent viewing course, perfectly flat and extending to just a mile, was used for the first time on Wednesday 30th May 1855. Flat racing came to an end on Wednesday 3rd May 1876 and racing lapsed in the town for eight years. However, racing was revived on Wednesday 28th April 1886 when the public’s interest was rekindled. The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup, over 4 miles and 24 fences, is now contested at the annual Cheltenham Festival in March, but in 1889 it was held at Cardiff when won by Nap, ridden by Charles Thompson. In 1895 the Ely course received a tremendous boost when they played host to the Welsh Grand National for the first time, with Deerstalker running out the winner. By 1921 they were also rewarded with the Welsh Champion Hurdle and were the undoubted premier track in Wales. Tragedy struck in 1937 when fire gutted both main stands, and although racing did continue for two years after the event, in reality the course never did fully recover. The final meeting took place on Thursday 27th April 1939 when Lester Piggott’s father Keith rode Grasshopper to victory.
I am grateful to Huw Allaway and Brian Lee for information on Cardiff’s earliest racecourse, a point-to-point course operational from 1722 for a few years until the death of Sir William Morgan. Sir William Morgan of Tredegar was born on 8th March 1700 and married Lady Rachel Cavendish, daughter of William Cavendish, the Duke of Devonshire, in 1724. In 1720 he had inherited the Tredegar Estate on the death of his father, and along with his father-in-law, he was one of the first members of the early Jockey Club in 1727. He is said to have paid for the development of the first racecourse to the north of Cardiff and is reported to have spent £50 on a day’s racing in 1722 (equivalent today to £12,000). The racecourse probably was a n oval course on what today is part of Greenmeadow Drive and Castle View. Sir William Morgan died at Tredegar on Sunday 24th April 1731.
I am grateful to Ordnance Survey (© Crown Copyright) for permission to use the map shown below.
If anyone can prove further details about this early racecourse then please contact johnwslusar@gmail.com
John Bradley, proprietor of the Angel Hotel in Cardiff towards the end of the 18th century and early years of the 19th century, had an interest in horse racing. Races advertised as 'Glamorganshire Races' were certainly taking place by the 1780s and seemed to alternate between Cardiff and Cowbridge, the Cardiff Races taking place on Great Heath, while the Cowbridge Races were staged at Stalling Down. In the odd numbered years, beginning in 1781, Cowbridge held the meeting, with the officials being Stewards John Matthews and John Lewellen, while the Clerk of the Course was John Bradley. Results from the 1781 meeting were included in the Racing Calendar, with the meeting taking place on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th October 1781. In an advertisement on 27th May 1782 a meeting broadcast in Cardiff names John Bradley as Clerk of the Course at Glamorgan Racecourse, the races being held that year at Great Heath, Cardiff on 31st July 1782 and 1st August. Entries for those races had to be made at the Red House in Cardiff some days before the meeting. In June 1782 Bradley advertised his establishment, the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, as a suitable place to stay, to stable horses and coaches prior to the meeting. Bradley stated,' A substantial tenant will meet with proper encouragement and will be suited with convenient grounds. Any coming-in tenant will be supplied with post-chaises, at a fair appraisal.' Any applicants for the 1783 Glamorgan Races had to be made to the Angel Inn, Cardiff. The 1784 meeting was held at Cardiff, with John Bradley again acting as Clerk of the Course. But he also hosted the ordinary each day at his Angel Inn, with a further one taking place at the Red House Inn. The traditional end of races Ball was staged at the Angel Inn. The Glamorgan meeting of 1785 was scheduled to take place at Stalling Down near Cowbridge, with applications being made to the Bear Inn, Cowbridge, leased at that point by Robert Christopher Bradley, brother of John. Hence, the brothers seemed to have a monopoly on all things associated with Glamorgan Races, whether held in Cardiff or Cowbridge. After the 1784 meeting further Racing Calendars did not mention Cardiff or Cowbridge, but included results under the name Glamorgan. In 1785 the Glamorganshire Races, extended to 3 days, were scheduled to take place from Wednesday 20th to Friday 22nd July 1785 on Stalling Downs, with John Bradley remaining as Clerk of the Course. However, two noticeable changes were that the Stewards were now Henry Knight and Herbert Hurst, and that entries, Ordinaries and the Ball were held at the Bear Inn, Cowbridge owned by Richard Christopher Bradley.
All results for the meetings from 1781 to 1786 are available in the Racing Calendars of each year, but at no stage were any of the horses owned by John or Richard Bradley. It seemed a purely commercial venture for the Innkeepers to get involved with the races. Furthermore, no further reference is made about John or Richard Bradley after the 1785 meeting.
Wednesday 31st July to Friday 2nd August 1782
Cardiff Mansel-Talbot Cup over 2 miles
1. Perdita owned by Mr Pritchard
2. Unnamed colt owned by Mr Matthews
3. True Briton owned by Mr Thomas
Wednesday 22nd September to Friday 24th September 1824
Cardiff Plate over 2 miles
1. Cardinal Puff owned by Mr Pryse
2. Valentine owned by Mr Davis
3. Melampus owned by Mr C Day
Cardiff 50 Sovereign Plate over 2 miles
1. Doctor Eady owned by Mr Pryse
2. Sloe owned by Mr C Day
3. Valentine owned by Mr Davis
Cardiff Hunters Sweepstake over 2 miles
1. Melampus owned by Mr Day
2. Doctor Eady owned by Mr Pryse
I am grateful to Ordnance Survey (© Crown Copyright) for permission to use the map shown below.
1889 Nap ridden by Charles Thompson
I am grateful to Ordnance Survey (© Crown Copyright) for permission to use the map shown below.
The Welsh Grand National was first staged in 1895 at Ely Racecourse, Cardiff when won by DEERSTALKER (Evens fav) owned by Tom Cannon, trained by Tom Cannon junior and ridden by George Mawson. Subsequent winners at Ely Racecourse are shown below.
1896 CLOISTER (2/1 fav) owned by Mr C G Duff, trained by Charles Thompson and ridden by Gwyn Saunders-Davies
1897 LEGAL TENDER (6/1) owned by Mr E Deacon, trained privately and ridden by Henry Brown
1898 HEDGEHOG (5/1) owned by Mr F W Holden, trained by T Spire and ridden by D Davies
1899 NAT GOULD (5/2) owned by Mr George Jukes, trained privately and ridden by Mr A W Wood
1900 BLOOMER (6/4 jt fav) owned by Mr R Bourkes, trained by Green and ridden by A Banner
1901 GANGBRIDGE (1/3 fav) owned by Mr H S Sidney, trained by J Goode and ridden by Mr H S Stanley
1902-04 No Welsh Grand National was staged
1905 GLENROCKY (6/4 fav) owned by Mr David Faber, trained by W R Baker and ridden by Frank Barter
1906 SHOEBLACK (2/1) owned and trained by Mr Francis Porter Gilbert and ridden by Mr Arthur Wood
1907 Race was not staged
1908 RAZORBILL (7/1) owned by Captain R H Fowler, trained by Danny Maher and ridden by Bernard Flannery
1910 CAUBEEN (6/4 fav) owned by Mr Frank Bibby, trained by Donnelly and ridden by Finch Mason
1911 RAZORBILL (2/1 fav) owned by Mr R Ashton, trained by P G Whitaker and ridden by Ivor Anthony
1912 JACOBUS (2/1 fav) owned by Mr C Bower Ismay, trained by T Coulthwaite and ridden by Frank Lyall
1913 Race was not staged
1914 SUCCUBUS (7/1) owned by F Lort Phillips and Mr F Parker, trained by Lort Phillips and ridden by Charlie Kelly
1915-1919 Race was not staged
1920 MARK BACK (3/1) owned by Mr E Wills, trained by G S de Winton and ridden by Herbert Smyth
1921 MYTHICAL (7/2 jt fav) owned by Mr W A Bankier, trained by Hon Aubrey Hastings and ridden by Roger Burford
1922 SIMONIDES (10/1) owned by Mr M G Dobbyn, trained by Alexander E Cox and ridden by Thomas Willmot
1923 CLONREE (5/2 fav) owned by Mrs A Blain, trained by G Spittle and ridden by J Hogan junior
1924 DWARF OF THE FOREST (10/1) owned by Mr Kennard, trained by S Bennett and ridden by R C Calder
1925 VAULX (8/1) owned and trained by C Piggott and ridden by Keith Piggott
1926 MISS BALSCADDEN (8/1) owned by Mr David Thomas, trained by Colonel Morgan Lindsay and ridden by Mr David Thomas
1927 SNIPE’S BRIDGE (6/1) owned and trained by Captain R M Thompson and ridden by Willie Gurney
1928 MISS BALSCADDEN (20/1) owned by Sir David Llewellyn, trained by Colonel Morgan Lindsey and ridden by George Bowden
1929 MONDUCO (2/1 fav) owned by Mr Albert Bendon, trained by Percy Woodland and ridden by Jack Maloney
1930 BOOMLET (9/4 fav) owned by Mr E Large, trained by Ivor Anthony and ridden by Dudley Williams
1931 WISE DON (100/8) owned by Miss M Lark, trained by R Payne and ridden by Captain Roger Moseley
1932 MISS GAYNUS (6/1) owned by Mrs A Belville, trained by J L Hall and ridden by Gerry Wilson
1933 PEBBLE RIDGE (6/4 fav) owned by Lord Glanely, trained by Ivor Anthony and ridden by Dudley Williams
1934 DREAM SHIP (4/1) owned by Mr J V Rank, trained by G Evans and ridden by Jack Fawcus
1935 LACATOI (4/1 jt fav) owned by Mr J V Rank, trained by G Evans and ridden by Jack Fawcus
1936 SORLEY BOY (8/1) owned by Mr F A Clark, trained by Ivor Anthony and ridden by Danny Morgan
1937 LACATOI (2/1 fav) owned by Mr J V Rank, trained by G Evans and ridden by Jack Fawcus
1938 TIMBER WOLF (10/11 fav) owned by Mr J V Rank, trained by G Evans and ridden by Bruce Hobbs
1939 LACATOI (7/4 fav) owned by Mr J V Rank, trained by H A Brown and ridden by Jack Fawcus
The final meeting took place on Thursday 27th April 1939 when Lester Piggott's father Keith rode Grasshopper to victory in the final race.
Thursday 27th April 1939
4.30 Club Juvenile Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles
1. GRASSHOPPER owned by Mr A Gillson and ridden by Keith Piggott
2. DUNBARNEY owned and ridden by Mr T Rimell
3. TYCHO owned by Mr C Morris and ridden by Gerry Wilson
4. SAM BROWN owned and ridden by Mr M Willes
Betting: 5/4 Grasshopper, 3/1 Dunbarney, 7/2 Sam Brown, 10/1 Tycho
The rare handbill shown below is provided courtesy of the Robert Shaw collection.
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
