The Texan capital city of Austin, with population in excess of 950,000, was the location of Manor Downs racetrack which was operational for 20 years as a betting track, but existed a number of years prior to this date when betting was not legal in Texas. The large oval track, extended in 2002 to 7 ½ furlongs, offered a programme of quarter horse and thoroughbred racing which began on 12th October 1990, but its story started in 1975 when Frances Carr (remembered by the Frances Carr Distaff) and Sam Cutler purchased 44 acres of land on which they built Manor Downs, which was planned originally to be a training ground. The track hosted a number of Grade 1 races throughout its 20 years, notably the valuable Manor Downs Futurity, Frances Carr Distaff and Manor Downs Derby in April, and the Longhorn Futurity and Longhorn Derby in March, all with results shown below. By the dawn of the new millennium the track faced a downturn, with dwindling crowds and a decreased interest in horse racing. The 2008 recession was a final nail in the coffin, and the track closed its gates for the final time on 18th April 2010. |
| Local Patrons |
Frances Carr, Sam Cutler |
| Principal Races |
Manor Downs Futurity, Frances Carr Distaff, Manor Downs Derby, Longhorn Futurity, Longhorn Derby |
Manor Downs Futurity winners in the new millennium
2001 The Manor Downs Futurity was won by Primetime Runner
2002 The Manor Downs Futurity was won by Zip First
2003 The Manor Downs Futurity was won by Doin Some Zoomin
2004 The Manor Downs Futurity was won by Gray Invasion
2005 The Manor Downs Futurity was won by Silver Gol
2006 The Manor Downs Futurity was won by Okey Dokey Fantasy
2007 The Manor Downs Futurity was won by Swingin Jess
2008 The Manor Downs Futurity was won by Executive Looks
2009 The Manor Downs Futurity was won by GJR Snowman
2010 The Manor Downs Futurity was won by A Snowy Cartel |
Manor Downs Derby winners in the new millennium
2001 The Manor Downs Derby was won by Blazin Bux
2002 The Manor Downs Derby was won by Zookie Street
2003 The Manor Downs Derby was won by Moon Shake
2004 The Manor Downs Derby was won by First Kool Baby
2005 The Manor Downs Derby was won by Corona on Ice
2006 The Manor Downs Derby was won by Identity Theft
2007 The Manor Downs Derby was won by Miss Kips Streakin
2008 The Manor Downs Derby was won by JA Windchaser
2009 The Manor Downs Derby was won by Mr Queens Mystery
2010 The Manor Downs Derby was won by Ragazzo |
Manor Downs Frances Carr Distaff winners in the new millennium
2001 The Manor Downs Frances Carr Distaff was won by Rosebuddie
2002 The Manor Downs Frances Carr Distaff was won by Jesse Leigh Perry
2003 The Manor Downs Frances Carr Distaff was won by Sweet Ribbons
2004 The Manor Downs Frances Carr Distaff was won by Athena Raquel
2005 The Manor Downs Frances Carr Distaff was won by Athena Raquel
2006 The Manor Downs Frances Carr Distaff was won by Streak For Me
2007 The Manor Downs Frances Carr Distaff was won by Streakin Patch
2008 The Manor Downs Frances Carr Distaff was won by Reba Cleata
2009 The Manor Downs Frances Carr Distaff was won by Sweet Violets
2010 The Manor Downs Frances Carr Distaff was won by Freakin Dash |
Manor Downs Longhorn Derby winners in the new millennium
2002 The Manor Downs Longhorn Derby was won by Starting Effort
2003 The Manor Downs Longhorn Derby was won by Moon Shake
2004 The Manor Downs Longhorn Derby was won by Counting Sheep
2005 The Manor Downs Longhorn Derby was won by Kathys Star Quest
2006 The Manor Downs Longhorn Derby was won by Jesstified
2007 The Manor Downs Longhorn Derby was won by A Special Stroll
2008 The Manor Downs Longhorn Derby was won by Pool
2009 The Manor Downs Longhorn Derby was won by Shazooms Glory Dash
2010 The Manor Downs Longhorn Derby was won by Miss Snow Royale |
Manor Downs Longhorn Futurity winners in the new millennium
2002 The Manor Downs Longhorn Futurity was won by Zip First
2003 The Manor Downs Longhorn Futurity was won by Best County
2004 The Manor Downs Longhorn Futurity was won by Gol Tjka
2005 The Manor Downs Longhorn Futurity was won by Primetime Dream
2006 The Manor Downs Longhorn Futurity was won by Okey Dokey Fantasy
2007 The Manor Downs Longhorn Futurity was won by Tres Fortunes
2008 The Manor Downs Longhorn Futurity was won by Baja Jazz
2009 The Manor Downs Longhorn Futurity was won by Fast Chick Beduino
2010 The Manor Downs Longhorn Futurity was won by Make Mine Zoom |
| Course today |
The racecourse closed on 18th April 2010 |
| 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 |
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ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3
652 pages
774 former courses |
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352 pages
400 former courses |
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180 pages
140 former courses |
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264 pages
235 former courses |
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