Earliest meeting: Tuesday 19th March 1850
Final meeting: Tuesday 19th February 1856
The charming, busy Welsh town of Narberth is in Pembrokeshire and has a rich history, having been of some significance in the Norman period. However, in the middle of the 19th century the town organised a series of race meetings, the first of which took place on Tuesday 19th March 1850. The course, containing 33 fences, was over 4 miles of fair hunting ground between Sodson and Roberton, and could be viewed throughout from the starting field. The 2 race programme began with the feature Open Steeplechase which went to Squire Ugly, owned by Mr R L Phillips, defeating Hazard and The Skipper. The concluding Hunters’ Stakes was won by California, also owned by Mr R Phillips. After a good day of racing, an Ordinary was served at the Ruthven Arms. Meetings continued on the same course for the next 6 years, although the Stewards changed each year, and the final meeting was held on Tuesday 19th February 1856. The two race programme began with the Open Steeplechase over 4 miles in which Mr W R Powell’s St David was made the 2/1 On favourite and never gave his supporters a moment’s doubt, defeating Mr Lort Phillips’s Deception and Mr Formby’s Hercules. The concluding Sweepstake, also over 4 miles, saw Mr R Llewellin’s Comet, the well-backed 4/6 favourite, make all and win in a canter from Weaver and Conjuror. |
Tuesday 19th March 1850
Narberth Open Steeplechase over 4 miles
1. Squire Ugly, aged horse owned by Mr R L Phillips
2. Hazard, aged gelding owned by Mr Powell
3. The Skipper, aged mare owned by Mr Canton |
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 |
