Earliest meeting: Monday 30th December 1844
Final meeting: Monday 30th December 1844
The Herefordshire village of Clifford, on the River Wye, lies 4 miles north of Hay-on-Wye and enjoys the ruins of the Norman motte and bailey castle on the edge of the village. It is surrounded by beautiful open countryside which it utilised to good effect in the 19th century when it held race meetings annually. Many of these were minor affairs, sometimes involving ponies, galloways or half-breds, but on Monday 30th December 1844 an exciting Sweepstakes was staged over a 2 mile course on the outskirts of the village. It started at Spring Hill, continued over the farms of Mr Payne, Ward, Price and Smith and finished in Clifford Wood. The main race was keenly contested over 3 heats and was won by Captain J Pritchard’s Corinthian. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 1 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Captain J Pritchard, Mr J W R Cartwright (Steward) |
| Principal Races |
Clifford Sweepstake over 2 miles |
Monday 30th December 1844
Clifford Sweepstakes over 2 miles
1. Corinthian, bay gelding owned by Captain J Pritchard
2. Sam Slick, bay gelding owned by Mr T Browning
3. Flyaway, grey gelding owned by Mr J W R Cartwright
4. Antelope, chestnut gelding owned by Mr Slater |
| The final meeting took place on Monday 30th December 1844. |
| Course today |
A 2 mile course from Spring Hill to Clifford Wood. |
| 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. |
| ORDER FORM |
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| Volume 1 North of Hatfield £19.99 + £4 postage |
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| Volume 2 South of Hatfield £14.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volume 3 Wales & Scotland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volume 4 Ireland £9.99 + £3 postage |
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| Volumes 1 - 4 £54.96 + £5 postage |
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