Furness Cuirassiers' Races were first held in 1825, although it is believed that unofficial races were staged in the early 1820s whenever the Cuirassiers' made their annual pilgrimage to Furness, near Ulverston. As part of their annual programme the Cuirassiers' were scheduled to complete 8 days a year at Furness, near Ulverston, and by 1825 their Captain, T R G Braddyll, had begun to organise a race day to coincide with their annual Parade Day. The meeting was held in year in the grounds of Conishead Priory.
The medieval Conishead Priory was founded as a hospital during the reign of Henry II between 1145 and 1189, and was almost certainly established by Gamel de Pennington in 1167 and run by the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine. After the dissolution the lands were claimed by William de Lancaster who subsequently leased the lands to Thomas Stanley, 2nd Baron Monteagle. By the late 17th the land came into the ownership of John Braddyll of Portfield, later passing to his son Dodding Braddyll who was the Whig MP for Lancaster. Dodding died without heir, so the estate passed to his cousin Wilson Gale who quickly changed his name to Wilson Gale-Braddyll. Wilson was succeeded by his son Thomas who became Lieutenant Colonel in the Cuirassiers, and the organiser of the Troop's races.
On Wednesday 12th October 1825 the first official Furness Cuirassiers' Races were staged in Priory Park surrounding the Conishead Priory. The race ground was surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Priory which, at the time, was the seat of the captain of the Cuirassiers' Troop, T R G Braddyll. It was justifiably called 'the Paradise of the Furness'. At noon the Cuirassiers' marched into the Park, their flag proudly flying from the monument, and formed into review order before performing several manoeuvres. On completion of their set programme the Ulverston band commenced playing until 2pm when the Stewards took their places and signalled that racing should begin. The opening race for the Saddle was won by Richard Chamney's chestnut mare, the pair of stirrups in the trotting match were won by Mr Cooper's black mare. There then followed the main race of the day for a silver cup presented by Captain Braddyll.
Cuirassiers' Silver Cup
1. WARRIOR, bay gelding owned by Mr Barnard Gilpin and ridden by Bates
2. PHILIP, bay gelding owned by Mr Crosthwaite and ridden by Bessant
On Friday 15th June 1827 the third, and final, Furness Cuirassiers' Race meeting was held at Priory Park with T Gibson acting as Clerk of the Course. The 5 Stewards were T R G Braddyll, J Cranke, W Postlethwaite, E R G Braddyll and Barnard Gilpin. A 4-race programme was then completed, after which a Ball was held at 9pm.
Cuirassiers' Silver Cup (Donated by Captain Braddyll) over 2 miles
1. NIMROD chestnut gelding owned by Mr Brockbank
2. LUCINDA bay filly owned by Mr Gibson
2. PAUL PRY black gelding owned by Mr Postlethwaite
4. N'IMPORTE bay gelding owned by Mr Bates
5. MRS BELZONI bay mare owned by Mr Stanwix
Brace of Pistols (Donated by Subaltern Officers) over 9 furlongs
1. PAUL PRY black gelding owned by Mr Postlethwaite
2. N'IMPORTE bay gelding owned by Mr Bates
3. NIMROD chestnut gelding owned by Mr Brockbank
4. FLORA chestnut filly owned by Mr Newby
5. MRS BELZONI bay mare owned by Mr Stanwix
6. MISS CAVENDO bay filly owned by Mr Ashburner
Sword (Donated by noncommissioned Officers) over 9 furlongs
1. WINIFRED JENKINS bay mare owned by Mr Roper
2. FLORA chestnut filly owned by Mr Newby
3. STRAWBERRY roan mare owned by Mr Briggs
4. MOLLY bay mare owned by Mr Downward
5. HUMPHREY CLINKER bay gelding owned by Mr Worthington
Farmer's Prize Military Saddle (Donated by the Privates) over 9 furlongs
1. FANNY bay mare owned by Mr Richard Chamney
2. LIVELY grey mare owned by Mr Daniel
3. JESSY bay mare owned by Mr Edward Chamney
4. BLOSSOM bay mare owned by Mr Todd
I am grateful to Ordnance Survey (© Crown Copyright) for permission to use the map shown below.
Although this was the last meeting to be organised as the Cuirassiers' meeting, one further meeting, advertised as the 'Furness Yeomanry Races' was held on Monday 9th June 1828.
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
