Earliest meeting: Thursday 26th March 1835
Final meeting: Friday 27th February 1846
The County Louth village of Haggardstown, located on the outskirts of Dundalk and close to Blackrock, held one of its earliest meetings on Thursday 26th March 1835 when the Fitzgerald Freeholders’ Cup was won by Mr Mathews Abercromby. Races continued annually, with results from the meeting on Thursday 2nd April 1840 published in the Sporting Magazine. The Victoria Stakes was won by Mr Hatch’s Grisi, foiling the perfect result because Victoria came second, while the prestigious Haggardstown Cup went to Mr Blake’s Slashing Harry. A tremendous tussle ensued in the Sweepstake later in the afternoon before Ellen Tree overcame the determined challenge of Black-Eyed Ellen. On Tuesday 19th April 1842 the Dundalk Cup was won by Mr Gartland’s Bard, beating Well Wisher and Don John. The circular course, a short walk from the town centre, was intersected by the Dublin road which the horses crossed twice; half ploughed and half grassland; it contained twenty fences, including three formidable walls and two brooks. The event was so well publicised that an immense crowd attended, but there was also a large police force in evidence. A two day steeplechase meeting was staged on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th February 1846 when the Dundalk Steeplechase Cup went to Mr Conway’s Tom Steele. Racing continues in Dundalk to this day on a recently opened new racecourse. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 4 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mr Marguinness, Mr Plunket Kenny, Mr James O’Hanlon (Stewards) |
| Principal Races |
Haggardstown Cup, Victoria Stakes |
Thursday 2nd April 1840 |
The Haggardstown Cup
1. Slashing Harry owned by Mr Blake
2. Damian owned by Mr Ogle
The Victoria Stakes
1. Grisi owned by Mr Hatch
2. Victoria owned by Mr Cassidy
The Haggardstown Sweepstakes
1. Ellen Tree owned by Mr P Kenny
2. Black-Eyed Ellen owned by Mr Cormack
3. The Captain owned by Mr Marguinness |
| The final meeting took place on Friday 27th February 1846. |
| Course today |
A circular course, within walking distance of the town centre, crossing the Dublin road. |
| 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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