Earliest meeting: Thursday 8th June 1732
Final meeting: Wednesday 19th April 1882
The village of Knighton, traditionally in the old Welsh county of Radnorshire, today straddles the Welsh-English border with part of the town in Shropshire. The earliest record of racing in the vicinity of the town was on Thursday 8th June 1732, a meeting which John Cheny included in his Historical List. By 1784 racing was well established, with newspapers reporting that the meeting was taking place at the usual course. However, racing certainly was staged continuously from 1801 and for the next 80 years, with a programme of sport on its two racecourses. The inaugural two-day meeting at the start of the 19th century was staged on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th August 1801 when the Sweepstakes was won by Mr Lord's Jenny Spinner, while on the second day Tamerlane captured the Maiden Plate sponsored by the Earl of Oxford. The racecourse to the west of Knighton, at White Anthony, was an oval of barely a mile circumference, ascending at the start but gradually falling until approaching the last half mile onto a 3 furlong run-in. Meetings remained at this course until 1812 after which there was a lapse in racing in the town. Racing was then revived on a figure of eight course which was first used in 1820. Much later results from the two-day meeting on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st June 1837 were included in the Sporting Magazine, with the Radnorshire Stakes going to Mr Walmsley’s Catamaran, while the Town Subscription Purse was won by Mr J Harris’s Barclay. The final flat meeting was on Friday 7th April 1876, whilst National Hunt racing continued until Wednesday 19th April 1882.

Thursday 8th June 1732
Knighton 20 Guineas Purse
1. ROGER, chestnut horse owned by Mr Pearson 1 1
2. JUMPING JOAN, bay mare owned by Major Foley 2 2
3. HAVE AT ALL, grey horse owned by Mr Ship 4 3
4. UNNAMED sorrel horse owned by Mr Floyd 3 4
5. GENERAL MONK, brown horse owned by Mr Barton dist
5 ran

The Hereford Journal of Thursday 19th August 1784 advertised a two-day meeting to be held on the Bailey Course near Knighton. This implies that a course had already been established on Bailey Hill, although there are no earlier reports recorded in newspapers of the day. The meeting was scheduled to take place on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th September 1784, with 2 main races on the first day, followed by the Town Subscription Purse on day two. After racing on Friday a Ball was scheduled to be held, while on each of the two days Ordinaries were served. Entries for any of the races had to be made on Thursday 2nd September 1784 at the Duke's Arms in Knighton between 3pm and 7pm, although entries could be made on the day if owners paid double the entry fee. Details of each of the 3 races were published in the newspaper:-
The opening race at 11.30 am on Friday 3rd September 1784, a Purse of FIFTY POUNDS over 2 miles, for horses not exceeding 13 hands high, that never won more than 5/. at any one time.

1. Smiling Jack, a chestnut horse owned by Major Collier
2. Ironsides, a bay horse owned by Mr Davies
3. Little John, a bay horse owned by Mr Onian

The second race over the best of three 4 mile heats on Friday afternoon was a Weight for Age Handicap Hunters Purse of FIFTY POUNDS restricted to horses that had never won 10/, at any one time, not exceeding  14 hands high, with Four years old to carry 6st. 7lb.; Five year olds 7st.; Six year olds 7st. 7lb.; and aged 8st.

1. Swiss, a bay mare owned by Mr Penny
2. Paddy Whack, bay horse owned by Mr Peirce
3. Smiling Jack, a chestnut horse owned by Major Collier

The next day, Saturday 4th September 1784, the Town Subscription Purse of FIFTY POUNDS over three 4-mile heats, for horses that had never won 10/. at any one time (matches and sweepstakes excepted); Four years old to catty 7st. 4lb.; Five years old 8st.; Six years old 8st. 11lb..; and aged 9st.

1. Paddy Whack, a bay horse owned by Mr Peirce
2. Titlinda, a bay mare owned by Mr Whittington
3. Pegasus, a bay horse owned by Major Collier
4. Random, a bay horse owned by Mr Winter
5. Juliet, a bay mare owned by Mr Penny

Whilst details of the 1785 meeting are patchy, the two-day meeting in 1786 was staged on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th September on the Bailey course. The crowd was reported to be exceedingly numerous, while the Ball each evening exhibited a scene of good taste, splendour and elegance.
Thursday 7th September 1786
Hunters £50 Plate over 4 miles

1. Miss Nancy, a chestnut mare owned by Mr Smith
2. 2. Rodney, a bay gelding owned by Mr Meredith
3. Treacle, a chestnut mare owned by Mr Stubbs
4. Purity, a bay gelding owned by Mr Thomas

Friday 8th September 1786
Knighton £50 Town Purse over 4 miles

1. Gamestar, a brown horse owned by Mr Franks
2. Bonny Brown, a bay mare owned by Mr B Lloyd

Annual meetings continued to be staged at the Bailey Course, with the two-day meeting on Friday 31st August and Saturday 1st September consisting of a £50 Hunters Purse and a £50 Town Purse, each the best of three over 4 miles. Horses had to be shown at the Town Hall in Knighton on Thursday 30th August 1787. A public breakfast was served at the Bowling Green on Saturday morning prior to the races being held, with Ordinaries served each day at The Duke's Arms Inn, where a Ball was held at the end of racing on Saturday.

In 1789 a new course was used for the first time when a two-day meeting was held on Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th September 1789. The main event on day one was a Weight for Age £50 Purse, while on day two there was the usual £50 Town Purse as well as a 5 Guineas Sweepstake for gentleman riders.

Tuesday 23rd & Wednesday 24th July 1805

Knighton Sweepstakes over 3 miles
1. Daisy owned by Lord C H Somerset
2. Gipsy owned by Mr Emden
3. Maid of the Moor owned by Mr Browne
Gipsy went off the favourite and won the first heat, but was subsequently beaten in heats 2 and 3 by Daisy.

Knighton Subscription Stakes over 4 miles
1. Daisy owned by Lord C H Somerset
2. Brown Bess owned by Miss C Saunders
3. Gipsy owned by Mr Emden

Knighton Maiden Plate over 2 3/4 miles
1. Montecello owned by Mr C Day
2. Unnamed gelding by Lismahago owned by Mr A Jones
3. Titmouse owned by Mr Maddy

Knighton Sweepstake over 2 miles
1. Victorine owned by Mr C Day
2. Actress owned by Mr Patrick

Tuesday 23rd & Wednesday 24th June 1835

The Whip Stakes over a mile
1. The Miser owned by Mr Green
2. The Farmer’s Boy owned by Mr E Rogers
3. Eveline Berenger owned by Mr Morris

The Radnorshire Stakes over 2 miles
1. Snake owned by Mr Collett
2. Unnamed colt by Rossini owned by Mr Thornes
3. Mopsus owned by Mr B Davies

Tuesday 20th to Wednesday 21st June 1837

The Radnorshire Stakes over 2 miles
1. Catamaran owned by Mr Walmsley

The Stanage Stakes over once round and the long length
1. Latona owned by Mr T.Davies

The Knighton Town Subscription Purse over 1 ½ miles
1. Barclay owned by Mr J.Harris

At the 1846 meeting, held at the Bailey Hill course, the Hereford Journal reported a serious incident. It summarised the event in the following way:- 'A serious accident occurred on our racecourse on Thursday evening, being the second race day, owing to the improper and too frequent practice of gentlemen allowing lads to have the care of their steeds. In this case a lad named Thomas Griffiths was riding on the north side of the course on a fine mare, the property of Mr. Edwards, Pool House, near Clun, and another lad named Thomas on a valuable horse, the property of Mr. E. Minton, George Inn, Knighton, both going at a rapid pace towards each other. The animals became unmanageable by their riders, and ran with fearful violence against each other. Mr. Edwards's mare was so seriously injured that she died the same evening; Mr. Minton's horse is under the care Mr. F. Griffiths, veterinary surgeon, but is not likely to be ever of much value. The boy Thomas was picked up in a frightfully disfigured state, one side of his face being much crushed and mangled, and nearly all his teeth forced out of their sockets, with other internal injuries, but it is hoped he will recover; the other boy escaped with but slight injury.'

In 1862 the Hereford Journal reported in full detail the Knighton meeting on 22nd and 23rd April which was run for the first time on the new course rather than being staged at the usual course at Bailey Hill. The old course on Bailey Hill, situated about two miles from the town, and approached by a very bad road, was found to be inconvenient because of its difficulty of access and by way of somewhat resuscitating the sports, which had been hardy kept alive in consequence of this cause, endeavours were made to procure a course nearer home, and through the generosity of R Green Price, Esq , of Norton Manor, those endeavours were successful, an admirable course being obtained near the railway station. It was originally intended to have made it circular, or rather oval, but in order to do so it would have been necessary to pass through two fields belonging to Mr. Jones of Knighton, and one belonging to Mr. Matthews, of Ludlow, who refused permission. In consequence of being debarred from those small fields, the course at present somewhat resembles in shape the figure 8, but it is quite level all round.  On entering it from the railway station, the river Teme is seen to flow along to the left, between which and the Kingsley wood is the Knighton line of railway; on the left the view is enclosed by the Reeves, a high rising ground, whilst a little further on is the Vronier wood, which almost bends round to the front. This Course is entirely enclosed by hills, and from the number of trees scattered about, it has a picturesque appearance. It is one and a half mile round and with the exception of one or two places where the sight is obstructed by the hedges, the horses can be seen all the way round the course by people standing on the ground. The cost of making this course was defrayed by a subscription amongst the tradesmen of the town, and if sufficient money can be raised a permanent stand will, doubtless, ultimately be erected.
The paper’s report stated,’Knighton has now for many years enjoyed a somewhat enviable reputation for good sportsmen and genuinely honest sport, until now people have not unjustly regarded it as a kind of moral oasis, unaffected by the dishonest practices which, in too many instances, have brought the British turf into such ill repute. It dates its sports for a century or two back, when in the troublous times of one of our kings, troops were quartered in the town, and relief was found by his Majesty's forces from the monotonous pomp and parade of military life in amateur races on the Bailey Hill, an eminence which rises to a considerable height above the town, and from which many romantic pictures of a charming character may be viewed. From that time to the present, with more or less success, but always with sufficient, interest to attract a large concourse of pleasure seekers, the Knighton races have been a sort of institution of the place, the recurrence a of gala day which for has invariably been looked forward to as a gala day for Radnorshire
            Much of that success is justly attributed to the fostering care of Mr. Green Price, who like a true sportsman and a benefactor of the town, while promoting sport by every legitimate means in his power studiously preserved it from the contaminations and trickery of the genus "black-leg:"
            The old course on the Bailey Hill was found so difficult of access from the terrific nature of the ascent, that it was thought desirable, with the introduction of railway communication and the influx of visitors that might be expected therefrom, that a more convenient course should be obtained. The accession of  the old friend of the town—who brought it a railway, and thus gave it more than a local habitation and a name—to the Norton Manor estates, furthered this view, and Mr. Green liberally offered to make a course over his meadow close by the Teme, within a stone's throw of the railway station, and just below the town. As pretty a little course as any in England, in view of the stand throughout, and enclosed by an amphitheatre of fine old hills and wooded heights, was marked out, but permission had to be obtained to pass over one little piece (the only portion not belonging to Mr. Green) before the scheme could be carried out. Most illiberally, the owner refused to do that favour for the town to which he is indebted so much, and the course had consequently to be constructed in the form of a figure of "8." This has been done in the best possible manner. Six weeks ago a public meeting was held, and Mr. Morton, who has been engaged in making a portion of the Central Wales Railway, in a spirit very much distinguished from the gentleman who prevented the making of the oval course, offered to superintend the work gratuitously and to show that every penny charged had been expended. The offer was at once accepted, and Mr. Green Price not only allowed the land to be appropriated to the purposes of a course, but rendered most valuable assistance to the project by cutting down trees, grubbing up fences, and giving all the timber necessary for the fencing etc. The course is now over a mile, with a run in of nearly half a mile, at the top of the figure and towards the town.
            With the new course and increased attractions an endeavour has for the first time been made to make two days' sport instead of one, and so far, even against the adverse circumstances of other racing fixtures clashing with this and the deterrent effects of stormy weather, the attempt has been successful.
            The site by the side of the river Teme, having the Vronhere and the fine old-fashioned mansion of Llanshay, formerly in the occupation of the Duppa family on the south-east, the Bucknell Woods, on the east, the Ragged Kingdom, Stow Hill, the Garn Ditches, Caractacus' Camp on the north and north-west; the rocky escarpment and wooded heights of Kinsley Wood on the west, the town of Knighton built on the declivity of a hill on the south-west, and the Garth Hills and Llanver on the south, gave to the spot a natural and historical interest, but the picturesqueness of the scene was much heightened by the grouping of tents, rifle galleries, boxing booths, and other sources of amusement, where a sort of "fancy fair" was going on from an early hour in the day. These amusements were of a superior class to those usually found at our country fairs, and even the gentlemen who teach the "noble art of self-defence" seemed to be conscious that decent behaviour and the choice of unobjectionable language, were necessary to their existence in Knighton. One of these, rejoicing in the name of Bob Church claimed the support of the public on the ground that he was a 'real native,' and the patronage extended to him seemed to be considerable. The principle refreshment marquee — one of very great, extent—was comfortably fitted up by Host Roberts of the Chandos, and the civility with which it was conducted by Miss Roberts and her lady friends made it a much-frequented rendezvous. Edgington's tents also' contained branch establishments of the Crown (Mr. J. Anthony), the Fleece (Mr. R. Attfield), the King's Head (Mr. R. Thomas), the Farmers' Club House and the Globe (The Misses Tudge). The rifle corps also erected its tents and raised its banners to the breeze, and the rifle band, with much spirit, discoursed excellent music at intervals throughout the day. On the opposite side the judge's chair, and within the upper portion of the figure described by the course, were drawn up the carriages of the gentry of the neighbourhood, with the more respectable portion of the company on foot, to which the frequency of the rifle volunteer costume gave an additionally picturesque appearance.
Tuesday 22nd April 1862
Knighton Maiden Plate over 1 mile

1. Equator, chestnut gelding owned by Mr T Parr and ridden by Clement
2. Ross, brown colt owned by Mr Lincoln and ridden by Williamson
3. Domine Sampson, grey gelding owned by Mr David and ridden by Roberts

Radnorshire Stakes over 2 miles

1. Violet, brown filly owned by Mr Steven and ridden by J Plumb
2. Weasle, chestnut gelding owned by Major Johnson and ridden by Clement
3. Wortham, 4-year-old owned by Mr Adam and ridden by J Holman

Knighton Stewards Cup over 1 1/2 miles

1. Volunteer, bay gelding owned by Mr Roberts and ridden by E Roberts
2. Wigley, brown horse owned by Mr Hand and ridden by A Hand
3. Victress, bay mare owned by Mr Williams and ridden by A Williams

Open Hurdle Race over 1 1/2 miles and 6 flights of hurdles

1. Kington, chestnut gelding owned by Mr Patrick and ridden by Harding
2. Knuston, bay gelding owned by Mr Taylor and ridden by Pegg
3. The Miller, bay horse owned by Mr J Weyman and ridden by R Sly

Wednesday 23rd April 1862
Knighton Stakes over 1 1/4 miles

1. Mily, black filly owned by Mr Sopp and ridden by E Sopp
2. Ross, 3-year-old owned by Mr Lincoln and ridden by Clement
3. Rantipole, bay filly owned by Mr Steven and ridden by Plumb

United Hunt Stakes over 2 miles

1. The Baron, bay gelding owned and ridden by Mr J M Browne
2. Wigley, brown horse owned by Mr Hand and ridden by Giles
3. Caleb, bay gelding owned and ridden by Mr Williams

Volunteer Cup over 1 mile

1. Moorhen, bay gelding owned by Mr E Weyman and ridden by J Weyman
2. Go-A-Head, brown horse owned by Mr R D Greene and ridden by R Roberts
3. Jenny Jones, bay filly owned and ridden by Mr T Bowles

Railway Stakes over 4 furlongs

1. The Doc, bay mare owned by Mr Herbert and ridden by Clements
2. Kitty, bay mare owned by Mr Myatt and ridden by Williamson
3. Knutson, bay gelding owned by Mr Taylor and ridden by Pegg

John Cary (1754-1835) was an English cartographer who published his atlas, The New and Correct English Atlas, in 1787. In 1794 he was commissioned by the Postmaster General to survey all English roads. The map shown below is an extract from his 1794 work.

I am grateful to Ordnance Survey (© Crown Copyright) for permission to use the map shown below.

Initially at Bailey Hill and then a one mile course at White Anthony and a figure of eight course.

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:-

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

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